World3 min(s) read
Published 13:24 04 May 2026 GMT
According to an announcement from the World Health Organization, three people have died while another three remain seriously ill following a suspected outbreak of a rodent-borne illness aboard a cruise ship travelling through the Atlantic Ocean.
While investigations are underway, the WHO confirmed that at least one case is hantavirus, the disease that killed Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy last year.
Reportedly, one person is currently receiving intensive care treatment at a South African medical facility. The U.N.'s health agency is coordinating with local authorities to evacuate two additional symptomatic passengers from the ship.
Although the ship’s identity has not been disclosed by WHO, South African news outlets have identified the ship as the MV Hondius cruise ship, which was traveling from Argentina to Cape Verde.
The vessel is a passenger cruise ship registered under a Dutch flag, according to maritime tracking data.
The illness produces distinct symptom patterns which can trigger hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) or Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), both of which can prove fatal if left untreated.
The virus is primarily transmitted through contact with rodents, when humans are exposed to their urine, feces, or saliva.
HPS is commonly spread through rat and mouse feces, often coming into contact with humans when clearing out rat-infested rooms such as attics or basements.
People who end up with HPS after contracting hantavirus typically begin experiencing symptoms within one to eight weeks.
The most common are fatigue, fever, and muscle aches, particularly affecting major muscle groups such as the thighs, hips, back, and occasionally, the shoulders.
Around half of HPS patients report headaches, dizziness, chills, and gastrointestinal issues, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
Four to 10 days after infection, advanced HPS symptoms appear, including coughing and shortness of breath, and chest tightness as fluid builds in the lungs.
An estimated 38% of people who experience respiratory problems from HPS lose their life to the disease.
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Those who develop HFRS usually begin experiencing symptoms within two weeks of exposure, but in some cases, they may take up to eight weeks to present themselves.
Early symptoms include intense headaches, back and abdominal pain, fever and/or chills, nausea, and blurred vision. Facial flushing, inflammation or redness of the eyes, and rashes are also common.
More severe symptoms include low blood pressure, lack of blood flow, internal bleeding, and acute kidney failure, potentially leading to significant fluid overload, although the mortality rate is much lower than that of HPS.
Concerningly, identifying Hantavirus infections within the first 72 hours of infection is almost impossible; it is believed passengers aboard the affected cruise ship are being monitored carefully.
