Three Passengers Die on Cruise Ship in Atlantic Ocean Due to Hanta Virus Infection

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A devastating incident has occurred on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean, resulting in the deaths of three passengers. The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Sunday that a case of Hanta virus infection has been confirmed in a laboratory.

According to the WHO, six people have been affected by the contamination, with three fatalities reported. Only one case of Hanta virus infection has been formally confirmed at this stage, while three other cases remain suspected. A sixth patient is currently hospitalized in intensive care in South Africa.

The incident occurred on board the ship "MV Hondius," which was operating a cruise between Ushuaia, Argentina, and the Republic of Cape Verde. The ship, specialized in polar cruises, is operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, a Dutch-based company.

Earlier in the day, South African health authorities reported a cluster of "acute respiratory disease" on board, announcing the death of two passengers and the evacuation of a third to a hospital in Johannesburg.

Foster Mohale, spokesperson for the South African Ministry of Health, confirmed that laboratory tests on one of the hospitalized patients revealed a Hanta virus infection, a pathogen belonging to a family of viruses responsible for hemorrhagic fevers.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the virus is primarily transmitted by rodents, particularly through contact with their urine, feces, or saliva.

The first identified case concerns a 70-year-old passenger who died on board the ship. Their body was transferred to the island of Saint Helena, a British territory located in the southern Atlantic. Their 69-year-old wife also developed symptoms before being evacuated to South Africa, where she died in a Johannesburg hospital. The nationality of the two victims has not been specified.

A third patient, a 69-year-old British national, was also evacuated to Johannesburg, where they remain in intensive care.

The "MV Hondius," which can accommodate approximately 170 passengers and has a crew of around 70 people, was offering a itinerary including stops in South Georgia and Saint Helena. According to several maritime tracking websites, the ship was located near Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, on Sunday.

Key Facts:

• 3 passengers have died due to Hanta virus infection on board the "MV Hondius" cruise ship.
• 6 people have been affected by the contamination, with 1 case formally confirmed and 3 others suspected.
• A 6th patient is currently hospitalized in intensive care in South Africa.
• The incident occurred on a cruise between Ushuaia, Argentina, and the Republic of Cape Verde.
• The ship is operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, a Dutch-based company.