An epidemic breaks out on a cruise ship in South Africa: 2 deaths

An epidemic of “severe acute respiratory infection” aboard one cruise ship in the Atlantic caused two deaths and the admission of a third person to intensive care a Johannesburg. The South African Ministry of Health reported that the epidemic occurred on the MV Hondius, traveling from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Cape Verde. The patient hospitalized in Johannesburg tested positive for hantavirus, a family of viruses that can cause hemorrhagic feversaid South African spokesperson Foster Mohale.

According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hanaviruses are spread through rodents, particularly through contact with urine, feces and saliva.

WHO

“WHO is aware of cases of severe acute respiratory infection on board a cruise ship sailing in the Atlantic,” the World Health Organization told AFP in Geneva. “Investigations and an internationally coordinated public health response are ongoing. We will share further information as it becomes available.”

The sick

The first person to show symptoms was a 70-year-old passenger. He died on board the ship and his body is currently on the island of St Helena, a British territory in the South Atlantic, the South African spokesman said.

His 69-year-old wife also fell ill on board and was evacuated to South Africa, where she died in a Johannesburg hospital.
The third case, a 69-year-old British citizen, was also evacuated to Johannesburg, where he was admitted to intensive care.

The cruise ship

The MV Hondius is a polar cruise ship operated by a Dutch tour company, Oceanwide Expeditions. One of the cruises offers an itinerary departing from Ushuaia and destination Cape Verde, with stops in the islands of South Georgia and St. Helena.
According to several online ship tracking sites, the MV Hondius was on Sunday off the port of Praia, the capital of Cape Verde. The ship can accommodate approximately 170 passengers and has a crew of approximately 70 people