Three people have died on board a cruise ship and a British man is being treated in hospital in South Africa after a suspected outbreak of hantavirus.
The cruise ship MV Hondius had been sailing from Argentina to Cape Verde and carried around 150 tourists, according to the Daily Mail, the most expensive cabins on board could cost as much as £35,000.
However, the cruise ship has turned into a lethal voyage as the vessel was stricken by illness as South African officials said that a 70-year-old man and his 69-year-old wife from the Netherlands had died after falling ill.
The man had died in St Helena after suffering from fever, headache, abdominal pain and diarrhoea, while the woman collapsed at an airport and was taken to hospital in South Africa.
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A third person also from the Netherlands died and others became unwell, with the World Health Organization (WHO) saying they suspect that the cause is hantavirus, which is spread to humans through contact with rodents or their urine and faeces.
It can cause life-threatening respiratory illness, and the WHO said there had been one confirmed case of hantavirus and five other suspected cases.
A 69-year-old British tourist is in intensive care in Johannesburg, South Africa, while cruise ship operator Oceanwide Expeditions said yesterday (3 May) authorities in Cape Verde hadn't given authorisation to disembark two crew members who 'require urgent medical care'.
In a statement, they said their main priority was getting their unwell crew members 'adequate and expedited medical care'.
The 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.”
They also said they were working with the cruise operator and local authorities in South Africa to help others with symptoms on the ship.
There is no specific cure for hantavirus, which can be fatal, but diagnosing the virus early on in the outbreak can increase a person's chances of survival.
Hantavirus is the disease given as a cause of death for Betsy Arawaka, the wife of actor Gene Hackman, with both of them found dead in their home last year.
Oceanwide Expeditions continued in its statement: "We are in close contact with those directly affected and their families and are providing support where possible.
"The health and safety of all passengers and crew is our highest priority. Oceanwide Expeditions is working closely with local and international authorities, including WHO, RIVM, relevant embassies, and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Disembarkation and medical screening of all guests require coordination with local health authorities, and we are in close consultation with them.
"We are currently establishing the full facts and working on appropriate medical care, screening, and next steps. We will provide a further update as soon as more information becomes available."
The symptoms of hantavirus
Hantavirus can cause two life-threatening syndromes, according to the WHO: hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS).
The early symptoms of HPS, which attacks the lungs, start one to eight weeks after infection, and include:
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Muscles aches
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Chills
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhoea
Later symptoms include:
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Tightness in the chest
Early symptoms of HFRS, which affects the kidneys, start one to two weeks after infection, and include:
- Intense headaches
- Back pain
- Abdominal pain
- Fever/chills
- Nausea
- Blurred vision
Later symptoms include:
- Low blood pressure
- Internal bleeding
- Acute kidney failure
LADbible has contacted Oceanwide Expeditions for a comment.
Topics: Cruise Ship, Travel, Health
Joe Harker