WHO: Now 7 hantavirus infections on Dutch cruise ship, incl. 3 dead
The World Health Organization said there are now seven cases linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius, including two confirmed infections and five suspected cases. It also confirmed that the Dutch woman who died in a Johannesburg hospital after becoming ill aboard the ship tested positive for hantavirus. She had previously been listed among suspected cases.
The confirmed cases are the Dutch woman, 69, who died on April 26 after leaving the ship, and a British passenger who is in intensive care in Johannesburg.
In total, three people have died and at least three others remain ill. All passengers have been tested, though results have not yet been released.
Her husband, a 69-year-old Dutch man who died on April 11 aboard the ship after developing fever and respiratory symptoms, is among the suspected cases. Dutch reporting indicates he was the first to show symptoms.
Authorities have also identified additional suspected cases, including a deceased German woman whose body remains on board, as well as other ill passengers and crew members. Two crew members — one Dutch and one British — remain on the ship and require urgent medical care.
The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it is examining options to evacuate a small number of people from the vessel, which is anchored off Praia, Cape Verde. The Netherlands is coordinating the response because the MV Hondius is Dutch-flagged.
