Three cruise passengers die from Hantavirus, one hospitalized in Johannesburg

The World Health Organization WHO confirmed six cases of the rare zoonotic virus, which is transmitted through exposure to rodent bodily fluids and excrement. One case has been laboratory confirmed, with five others suspected. All three deceased passengers were Dutch nationals; one died on board the ship, another in St Helena, and a 69-year-old woman died in Johannesburg while being transferred to Europe.

A British passenger is currently in ICU in Johannesburg. The South African Department of Health DoH is collaborating with the National Institute of Communicable Diseases and Gauteng Health Department for contact tracing. A DoH spokesperson clarified that the patients' transportation and hospitalization in South Africa were privately arranged by their health insurance provider.

Hantavirus can cause severe and potentially deadly diseases affecting the lungs hantavirus pulmonary syndrome or kidneys haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, with early symptoms often resembling influenza.