The World Health Organization has reported a suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship traveling in the Atlantic Ocean, with multiple infections and several fatalities under investigation. The health agency said the situation is being closely monitored while authorities work to determine how the outbreak began.

According to the WHO, one case of hantavirus infection has been confirmed in laboratory testing, while five additional cases remain under suspicion. Of those six individuals, three have died and one patient is currently receiving intensive care treatment in South Africa. The organization added that an investigation is underway to identify the source and circumstances of the outbreak on board the vessel.

In a statement on X, the WHO said, ?To date, one case of hantavirus infection has been laboratory confirmed, and there are five additional suspected cases.? It also confirmed the severity of the situation, noting the deaths among those affected.

A spokesperson for the Dutch Foreign Ministry told Reuters that two Dutch nationals were among those who died, though no further personal details were released.

Hantavirus is a virus found globally and is typically transmitted through contact with infected rodents, particularly via urine or feces. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the infection can develop into hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a serious and potentially fatal respiratory condition. While rare, health authorities note that in limited cases, human-to-human transmission has been observed.

There is currently no specific antiviral treatment or cure for hantavirus infection, although early medical intervention significantly improves survival chances, according to global health guidance.

South African health authorities confirmed that the outbreak occurred aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius, which was carrying approximately 150 passengers. The vessel had departed Argentina around three weeks earlier and had been traveling through a route including Antarctica and the Falkland Islands before heading toward the Canary Islands in Spain.

Officials in South Africa said contact tracing efforts are now underway, particularly in the Johannesburg area, to determine whether any additional exposure occurred after passengers disembarked or transited through the country.

The WHO stated that its investigation, alongside national health authorities, is ongoing as experts assess the scale of the outbreak and the potential risk to other passengers and contacts.