A sudden outbreak of the dangerous hantavirus on a luxury cruise ship traveling from Argentina to South Africa has caused panic, where so far 3 passengers have died while several others are suspected to be affected.
According to the international organization World Health Organization, one confirmed case and 5 suspected cases of hantavirus have been reported on the ship.
Due to the virus, the condition of a 69-year-old British citizen is said to be critical, who has been admitted to a hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa, and is under intensive care.
This alarming incident occurred on a cruise ship named MV Hondius, owned by Oceanwide Expeditions. The ship departed from Ushuaia on March 20 and was scheduled to reach Cape Verde on May 4.
According to experts, hantavirus is usually transmitted to humans through the urine or droppings of rodents and can cause severe respiratory illness.
Although human-to-human transmission is very rare, the current situation has created widespread fear among passengers.
There were approximately 170 passengers, 57 crew members, 13 guides, and only one doctor on board the cruise ship, making it more difficult to handle the emergency situation.
The United Kingdom’s Foreign Office has also announced that it is monitoring the situation and is ready to assist its citizens.
