British tourist fighting for his life after 'rare rodent virus' breaks out on cruise ship killing three

A British tourist is fighting for his life after a rare rodent virus has been reported to have claimed the lives of three people on board a cruise ship.

The MV Hondius, sailing from Argentina towards Cape Verde, has become the centre of a medical emergency after health officials confirmed one case of the deadly hantavirus outbreak and identified five further suspected infections.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed the outbreak to the BBC this evening, with the vessel operated by Dutch company Oceanwide Expeditions now at the heart of an international health response.

A statement read: “To date, one case of Hantavirus infection has been laboratory confirmed, and five other cases are suspected.

“Of the six people affected, three have died and one is now in intensive care in South Africa.”

Hantavirus causes severe, frequently fatal illness transmitted primarily through airborne particles from infected rodent waste.

The vessel departed Ushuaia in southern Argentina on March 20, with an expected arrival in Cape Verde scheduled for May 4.

A 70-year-old passenger became the first to display symptoms and subsequently died while still at sea, with his remains later transported to Saint Helena.

His wife, aged 69, fell ill during the journey and was airlifted to South Africa, where she passed away at a hospital in Johannesburg.

The British patient, a 69-year-old man, was similarly evacuated to the South African city for emergency treatment.

The nationalities of those who have died have not yet been confirmed by authorities.

The infection typically occurs through exposure to urine or faeces from rodents carrying the virus, though human-to-human transmission can occur in rare circumstances.

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The WHO stated it is providing assistance with coordination between member states and the ship's operator, encompassing medical evacuations of symptomatic passengers, comprehensive public health risk assessments, and ongoing support for those remaining aboard.

Foster Mohale, spokesperson for South Africa's health ministry, earlier confirmed to the BBC that at least two fatalities had occurred.

Investigators continue to examine the five suspected additional infections as the international response to the outbreak develops.

The MV Hondius spans 107.6 metres in length and has capacity for up to 170 passengers accommodated across 80 cabins.

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