The cruise ship MV Hondius. AFP via Getty Images The WHO said three people have died after a viral outbreak on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean. The health agency said it has confirmed at least one case of hantavirus among the sick. Hantavirus is often contracted from mice and can cause severe respiratory illness. The World Health Organization said three people have died on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean after a suspected hantavirus outbreak. The agency said it has confirmed, through laboratory testing, one case of hantavirus and suspects there are five additional cases. "Of the six affected individuals, three have died and one is currently in intensive care in South Africa," the organization said in a statement on Sunday. The WHO says that hantavirus infections are usually linked to environmental exposure to the feces or urine of infected rodents, commonly mice. "While rare, hantavirus may spread between people, and can lead to severe respiratory illness and requires careful patient monitoring, support and response," the organization says. The WHO did not specify the vessel in its statement, but Agence France-Presse reported that the outbreak occurred on the MV Hondius, a cruise ship currently off the coast of Cape Verde. The Hondius can carry up to 170 passengers in 80 cabins, according to Oceanwide Expeditions, its Dutch operator. The WHO said it's conducting a detailed investigation, including laboratory tests and epidemiological investigations. It's also coordinating with member states and the ship's operators to evacuate two "symptomatic passengers medically." This is a breaking news story. Please return for updates. Read the original article on Business Insider
The cruise ship MV Hondius.AFP via Getty Images The WHO said three people have died after a viral outbreak on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean. The health agency said it has confirmed at least one case of hantavirus among the sick. Hantavirus is often contracted from mice and can cause severe respiratory illness. The World Health Organization said three people have died on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean after a suspected hantavirus outbreak. The agency said it has confirmed, through laboratory testing, one case of hantavirus and suspects there are five additional cases. "Of the six affected individuals, three have died and one is currently in intensive care in South Africa," the organization said in a statement on Sunday. The WHO says that hantavirus infections are usually linked to environmental exposure to the feces or urine of infected rodents, commonly mice. "While rare, hantavirus may spread between people, and can lead to severe respiratory illness and requires careful patient monitoring, support and response," the organization says. The WHO did not specify the vessel in its statement, but Agence France-Presse reported that the outbreak occurred on the MV Hondius, a cruise ship currently off the coast of Cape Verde. The Hondius can carry up to 170 passengers in 80 cabins, according to Oceanwide Expeditions, its Dutch operator. The WHO said it's conducting a detailed investigation, including laboratory tests and epidemiological investigations. It's also coordinating with member states and the ship's operators to evacuate two "symptomatic passengers medically." This is a breaking news story. Please return for updates. Read the original article on Business Insider
