Three people have died aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean, with at least one confirmed case of hantavirus, a rare disease transmitted to humans from rodents.

Health authorities are investigating a suspected outbreak on the vessel, which was sailing from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Cape Verde.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said in a statement on Sunday that one case had been confirmed and at least five other passengers were suspected of being infected.

“Of the six affected individuals, three have died, and one is currently in intensive care in South Africa,” WHO said. “Detailed investigations are ongoing, including further laboratory testing and epidemiological investigations. Medical care and support are being provided to passengers and crew. Sequencing of the virus is also ongoing.”

WHO added that it was “facilitating coordination” between countries to evacuate the two other passengers showing symptoms.

Hantavirus, transmitted through droppings or urine of infected rodents, can be fatal in severe cases and cause hemorrhagic fever.

South Africa’s National Department of Health earlier on Sunday reported an outbreak of a “severe acute respiratory illness” that had killed at least two people, with a third in intensive care in Johannesburg.

Department spokesperson Foster Mohale confirmed that the patient in Johannesburg tested positive for hantavirus.

A 70-year-old man was the first to develop symptoms. He died on the ship, and his body is being held on Saint Helena, a British territory in the South Atlantic.

The patient’s 69-year-old wife also fell ill, was evacuated to South Africa, and died in a Johannesburg hospital.

Mohale told AFP that authorities have not confirmed the nationalities of the deceased. However, the person in intensive care was reported by AFP to be a 69-year-old Briton.

Source: www.aljazeera.com