Three people have died following a suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise vessel in the Atlantic Ocean, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), as reported by the BBC.

The WHO confirmed one laboratory-confirmed case and five additional suspected infections on the MV Hondius, which was travelling from Argentina to Cape Verde.

A 69-year-old British citizen is currently in intensive care in Johannesburg, South Africa. Local authorities told the BBC that the patient is believed to have contracted hantavirus. The UK Foreign Office said it is closely monitoring the situation and is prepared to assist British nationals.

Hantavirus is typically transmitted from rodents to humans through exposure to droppings, saliva, or urine. It can lead to severe respiratory complications, and human-to-human transmission is extremely rare.

The MV Hondius is operated by Oceanwide Expeditions and is a polar expedition cruise ship measuring 107.6 meters, with capacity for 170 passengers, 57 crew members, 13 guides, and one onboard doctor.

According to its itinerary, the ship departed Ushuaia, Argentina on March 20 and arrived in Cape Verde on May 4, where it remains anchored near Praia.

Reports from South Africa’s health ministry indicate that approximately 150 tourists of multiple nationalities were onboard.

Before WHO confirmation, officials had already reported at least two deaths, including a Dutch couple in their late 60s. The man reportedly developed sudden symptoms such as fever, headache, abdominal pain, and diarrhea before dying upon arrival on St Helena. His wife later died in a hospital in Johannesburg after being evacuated.

A third Dutch passenger also died, and efforts are underway to repatriate the body, according to Oceanwide Expeditions. The company also confirmed that two crew members required urgent medical care, but disembarkation was delayed due to pending authorization from Cape Verde health authorities.

Experts note that hantavirus symptoms may appear between one and eight weeks after exposure, raising concerns that additional cases could still emerge in the coming days.

Hantavirus gained public attention again last year after being linked to the death of the wife of actor Gene Hackman in 2025.