An outbreak of severe respiratory illness aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean has left two people dead and a third critically ill, South African health authorities confirmed Sunday. International health agencies have launched an investigation into the incident.
The vessel, MV, operated by Oceanwide Exposition, was sailing from Ushuaia to Prior when the first cases were reported. The ship carried approximately 170 passengers and 70 crew and had recently passed through remote South Atlantic islands, including South Georgia and St. Helena.
South Africa’s health ministry confirmed that one of the infected patients, now in intensive care in Johannesburg, tested positive for hantavirus — a rare but potentially deadly disease typically spread through contact with infected rodents.
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the two deceased individuals also contracted the virus, but the outbreak has raised urgent concerns among international health officials. The investigation is ongoing.
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