Hantavirus outbreak leaves three dead on cruise ship, but ‘no need to panic’

A suspected outbreak of the rare hantavirus has left three dead and at least three others seriously ill on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean, though “there is no need for the public to panic,” according to National Department of Health in South Africa spokesman Foster Mohale and the World Health Organization.

The MV Hondius departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, about three weeks ago en route to the Canary Islands, with stops scheduled in mainland Antarctica, the Falkland Islands, and Cape Verde. Mohale said that passengers of the ship were in medical facilities in South Africa “following serious health complications arising from undiagnosed severe acute respiratory infection.”

The WHO will be “coordinating a multicountry response with all affected islands and countries to contain further spread of the disease,” Mohale said. One person is in intensive care and two others are in “urgent medical care.”

There are 6 total cases, though only one