A second case of hantavirus has been confirmed among the passengers on board a cruise ship where three people have died in a suspected outbreak, the World Health Organization has confirmed.

The 69-year-old Dutch woman fell ill during a flight to Johannesburg after disembarking from the m/v Hondius with the body or her husband, who died during the voyage, on April 27.

The 69-year-old man and a German woman who was also on board are also believed to have died after contracting hantavirus, but the infection has not been confirmed.

Three other cases among the passengers and crew are also being investigated, including a 69-year-old British man who was evacuated to Johannesburg after falling ill. The WHO confirmed on Monday that he had been infected with hantavirus.

The ship is currently anchored off Cape Verde with 149 passengers and crew on board. Local authorities are arranging to evacuate three people, including two crew members, who have reported fever-like symptoms.

Isolation measures

Cruise operator Oceanwide Expeditions said the atmosphere on board was “calm” and isolation measures were in place. Passengers have been told to stay in their cabins as much as possible and keep apart from each other.

An American travel blogger on board, Jake Rosmarin, from Boston, said in a message on his Instagram account: “All we want right now is to feel safe, to have clarity and to get home.”

 

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The Dutch couple who died were from the village of Haulerwijk, in Friesland, family support organisation Namens de Familie told NOS.

“This wonderful journey that they experienced together has been abruptly ended,” the family said in a statement. “We still can’t come to terms with the fact that they are no longer with us.”

The couple had been travelling in Argentina before boarding the cruise ship on April 1 for a journey taking in Antarctica and several remote islands in the South Atlantic that are renowned for their wildlife.

Fever symptoms

The husband fell ill on April 6, five days into the 46-day cruise from Argentina to Cape Verde, with symptoms of fever, a headache and mild diarrhoea. He developed respiratory problems and died on April 11.

His body was taken off the ship when it reached the island of St Helena on April 24 His wife flew to Johannesburg in order to return to the Netherlands, but became ill during the flight and died in hospital shortly after arriving.

The German woman first showed symptoms of a fever on April 28, the day after the Dutch victims left the ship, and died five days later. Her body is still on board.

The British man was medically evacuated from Ascension Island to Johannesburg after developing pneumonia. He is being treated in intensive care where his condition is said to be critical but stable.

One of the crew members, who have British and Dutch nationality, is said to have a severe infection while the other is described as mild.

Anchored off Cape Verde

No details have been made public about the third suspected case on board. Laboratory tests are being carried out to determine the cause and spread of the infection, the WHO said.

Oceanwide Expeditions said the other passengers would not be disembarking in Cape Verde. Arrangements are being made for them to be taken to another destination such as Las Palmas or Tenerife, where they can receive medical screening.

Hantavirus is an infection carried by rodents that can cause severe or fatal respiratory illness. It is usually transmitted through contact with droppings or urine, but there is a small risk of infection between people.

“Human cases are most commonly reported in rural settings, such as forests, fields, and farms, where rodents are present,” the WHO said. Symptoms typically develop within two to four weeks of infection.