Three people have died and three others are ill after a suspected hantavirus outbreak struck a Netherlands-based cruise ship, authorities and media report.
The World Health Organisation says in an X post that one of the sick passengers is in intensive care (ICU) in South Africa (SA).
The rodent-borne virus can cause severe, sometimes fatal, respiratory disease.
Operator Oceanwide Expeditions says it is “managing a serious medical situation” aboard one of its polar expedition vessels, currently off Cape Verde.
The ship left Argentina roughly three weeks ago with about 150 passengers, travelling via Antarctica and other stops en route to West Africa.
A Spokesperson for the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed two Dutch nationals are among the dead but provided no further details.
–SABC–
