What is hantavirus? Disease suspected of killing three on cruise ship explained
Three cruise passengers have died aboard the MV Hondius off the coast of Africa during a suspected hantavirus outbreak, with one case confirmed and others under investigation. Hantavirus is typically transmitted through contact with infected rodents and can cause severe respiratory or kidney-related illnesses. While person-to-person transmission is rare, the disease has a high fatality rate, especially in the form of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
- ▪One case of hantavirus has been confirmed among passengers on the MV Hondius, with several other suspected cases pending.
- ▪The first victim, a 70-year-old man, died from a fatal hemorrhagic fever, a symptom associated with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS).
- ▪Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) has a mortality rate of 35% to 40%, while HFRS mortality ranges from less than 1% to 15% depending on the virus strain.
- ▪Humans primarily contract hantavirus by inhaling particles from infected rodent droppings, urine, or nesting materials.
- ▪There is no specific treatment for hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, though early hospitalization and supportive care are critical for survival.
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Health What is hantavirus? Disease suspected of killing three on cruise ship explained By Tracy Swartz Published May 4, 2026, 9:22 a.m. ET Three cruise passengers have died aboard the MV Hondius along the coast of Africa during a suspected hantavirus outbreak. One case has been confirmed as hantavirus, with several other suspected cases still pending. Hantavirus, which is typically contracted from infected rodents, made headlines in March of last year when it was determined to be the cause of death of Betsy Arakawa, the classical pianist married to Gene Hackman. The virus is extremely rare in humans but can lead to two very serious diseases. 3 The MV Hondius, pictured off the port of Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, is the site of a potential hantavirus outbreak.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at US News – Latest Breaking Headlines, Photos & Videos | New York Post.
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