The World Health Organization has confirmed an outbreak of hantavirus infection aboard a cruise ship carrying 147 passengers and crew, following a cluster of severe respiratory illnesses.
Seven cases have been identified so far, including two laboratory-confirmed infections, five suspected cases, and three deaths. One patient remains critically ill, while three others with mild symptoms are being monitored on board the vessel, currently moored off the coast of Cabo Verde.
Health authorities in Cabo Verde, the Netherlands, Spain, South Africa, and the United Kingdom are working with WHO to contain the outbreak, implementing isolation measures, enhanced infection control, and laboratory investigations.
Hantavirus is a rare but serious disease spread mainly through contact with infected rodents. It typically begins with flu-like symptoms but can rapidly progress to severe respiratory distress and, in some cases, death.
According to WHO, symptoms among affected passengers began between early and late April, initially presenting as fever and gastrointestinal illness before worsening to pneumonia and acute respiratory complications.
The Dutch-flagged vessel departed Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1 and travelled through remote South Atlantic and sub-Antarctic regions, including Antarctica and surrounding islands. Investigations are ongoing to determine the source of exposure.
There is currently no specific treatment or vaccine for hantavirus, according to WHO.
