What is hantavirus, suspected in deaths of three people on cruise ship?

Three people who were on board a Netherlands-based cruise ship in the Atlantic have died during a suspected outbreak of the hantavirus, authorities say. The virus is a rare infection transmitted to humans by rodents. On Monday, the World Health Organization (WHO) said the risk posed by the hantavirus to the wider public remained low despite the deaths on the MV Hondius cruise ship. The MV Hondius was sailing from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Cape Verde. Currently anchored off Cape Verde, the ship was considering ‌sailing to Las Palmas or Tenerife ‌for disembarkation, Reuters reported on Monday. Three people who were on the ship have been confirmed dead, although they are all only suspected of being infected with hantavirus. Three other people are ill. Of those, only one – a British national – has been confirmed as infected with the virus. In a statement on Sunday, the WHO said one hantavirus case had been confirmed and at least five other passengers were suspected of being infected. “Of the six affected individuals, three have died, and one is currently in intensive care in South Africa,” 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.” The WHO added that it was “facilitating coordination” between countries to evacuate the two other passengers showing symptoms. Earlier on Sunday, South Afric