Three cruise ship passengers are dead, and a fourth is fighting for their life after a suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard a ship docked in Africa, according to reports.
One case of hantavirus was confirmed in the first victim, with five other suspected cases still pending, the World Health Organization told Agence France-Presse on Sunday.
The first victim, a 70-year-old man, suffered a fatal hemorrhagic fever on board the ship. His 69-year-old wife died not long after at a hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa, the outlet reported.
The third fatality was also on board the ship, the outlet reported.
A 69-year-old British passenger is now in intensive care at the Johannesburg hospital, the BBC reported.
The outbreak was reported aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship during its journey between Argentina and Cape Verde. The ship is operated by the Dutch tour company Oceanwide Expeditions.
Hantavirus is a disease commonly contracted through infected rodents’ urine, feces and saliva. In rare cases, it can spread between people.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
