Monday, May 4, 2026

Hantavirus outbreak kills 3 on cruise ship within the Atlantic Ocean, WHO says : NPR

This aerial picture shows a general view of a cruise ship off the port of Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, on Sunday. Three people have died in an outbreak of a dangerous respiratory virus on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean, according to the World Health Organization.

This aerial image reveals a normal view of a cruise ship off the port of Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, on Sunday. Three individuals have died in an outbreak of a harmful respiratory virus on a cruise ship within the Atlantic Ocean, in keeping with the World Well being Group.

AFP by way of Getty Pictures


cover caption

toggle caption

AFP by way of Getty Pictures

Three individuals have died in an outbreak of a harmful respiratory virus on a cruise ship within the Atlantic Ocean, in keeping with the World Well being Group.

No less than six individuals are believed to have been contaminated with a hantavirus, together with one whose an infection has been confirmed by a laboratory, and 5 different suspected instances. Three individuals have died and one is at the moment in intensive care in South Africa, the WHO mentioned.

“Detailed investigations are ongoing, together with additional laboratory testing, and epidemiological investigations. Medical care and help are being offered to passengers and crew. Sequencing of the virus can be ongoing,” the company mentioned.

The company can be “facilitating coordination between” WHO member states and the ship’s operators to evacuate two passengers displaying signs “in addition to full public well being threat evaluation and help to the remaining passengers on board,” the WHO mentioned.

The WHO didn’t identify the cruise ship or launch any extra particulars.

Hantaviruses are a household of viruses which might be normally unfold by publicity to urine, saliva or feces from contaminated rodents, akin to rats or mice. Hantavirus infections are uncommon however may cause severe respiratory infections often called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.

Signs normally begin with fatigue, fever and muscle aches, however can even embody complications, dizziness, chills and extra issues akin to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach ache. The illness can then progress to coughing, shortness of breath and tightness within the chest because the lungs fill with fluid. A couple of third of sufferers who expertise respiratory signs might die from the syndrome, in keeping with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.

The illness obtained consideration just lately when it claimed the lifetime of Betsy Arakawa, the spouse of actor Gene Hackman.

Related Articles

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest Articles