The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that three individuals had perished following a suspected hanta virus outbreak on a cruise ship traveling in the Atlantic Ocean.
It stated that five further suspected instances of hantavirus are being investigated, and one confirmed case has been reported. In Johannesburg, South Africa, a 69-year-old British national is receiving critical treatment.
The MV Hondius cruise ship, which was sailing from Argentina to Cape Verde, was the location of the epidemic.
READ ALSO: Iran Says US Has Responded To Its Latest Peace Talks Proposal
Hantavirus infections are usually linked to environmental exposure, such as contact with urine or faeces from infected rodents, but in rare cases can spread between people, leading to severe respiratory illness.
Foster Mohale, a spokesperson for South Africa’s health ministry, earlier told the BBC that at least two people had died.
The MV Hondius is run by Dutch-based tour company Oceanwide Expeditions.
According to an itinerary on the Oceanwide Expeditions website, MV Hondius departed from Ushuaia in Argentina on 20 March and was expected to complete its journey on 4 May in Cape Verde.
It is described as a 107.6m (353ft) polar cruise ship, with space for 170 people in 80 cabins.
A 70-year-old passenger who passed away on board was the first individual to exhibit symptoms of the virus, according to South African authorities who spoke to the BBC. His remains are currently in the British territory of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic.
Additionally, his wife, 69, fell unwell while on board and was transferred to South Africa, where she passed away in a hospital in Johannesburg.
According to a source close to the case, the AFP news agency stated that the husband and wife were Dutch.
The third victim was still on board the ship, the unidentified source told AFP, and talks were underway to determine whether two other ailing passengers should be kept in isolation in a Cape Verdean hospital.
According to reports, the ship would next proceed to the Canary Islands in Spain.
The WHO stated that it was assisting member states and the ship’s operators in coordinating the medical evacuation of two passengers who were exhibiting symptoms, as well as a comprehensive public health risk assessment and assistance for those who remained on board.