Hantavirus Outbreak Hits Luxury Cruise Ship in the Atlantic

The World Health Organization has confirmed two cases of the deadly hantavirus and suspects five more among passengers aboard a luxury cruise ship now stranded in the Atlantic near Cape Verde.

Around 150 people remain on the MV Hondius, which departed Argentina in March on an Antarctic expedition. Most passengers are British, American, and Spanish.

Of the seven cases, three have died: a Dutch couple and a German national. One passenger is critically ill, and three have mild symptoms. A British national was evacuated to South Africa for treatment.

The ship's operator, Oceanwide Expeditions, reports the atmosphere is calm. The WHO emphasizes that the public risk is low, as hantavirus is typically spread by rodents and rarely between humans.

Cape Verde has asked the vessel to stay at sea as a precaution. The ship is now considering sailing to Spain's Las Palmas or Tenerife for passenger screening and disembarkation.