04/05/2026
Big alert
Muita atenção com os navios cruzeiros que visita o nosso pais
people have died after a suspected outbreak on a ship in the Atlantic , the World Health Organization (WHO) has told the BBC.
It reported one confirmed and five suspected cases. One UK national aged 69 is now in intensive care in Johannesburg, South Africa. Local officials later told the BBC he had the virus.
Hantavirus is usually passed to humans from rodents via their urine or faeces. It can cause severe respiratory illness. Rarely, it can be transmitted between people.
The UK Foreign Office told the BBC it was monitoring reports, and ready to support British nationals.
The outbreak was reported aboard the MV Hondius ship travelling from Argentina to Cape Verde.
The MV Hondius is run by tour company Oceanwide Expeditions.
According to an itinerary on its website, MV Hondius departed from Ushuaia in southern Argentina on 20 March and was expected to complete its journey on 4 May in
It is described as a 107.6m (353ft) polar cruise ship, with space for 170 in 80 cabins, along with 57 crew members, 13 guides and one doctor.
A suspected hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean has killed three people and sickened at least three others, the World Health Organization said Sunday.