Hantavirus Outbreak Claims Lives Of Three People Aboard Cruise Ship

The World Health Organization said that detailed investigations of the outbreak are ongoing.

A rodent-borne illness reportedly caused an outbreak aboard a cruise ship.

The Hantavirus outbreak may be responsible for claiming the lives of three cruise ship passengers. The World Health Organization said that detailed investigations of the outbreak are ongoing, including further laboratory testing and epidemiological investigations. The virus is also being sequenced.

The virus is mainly spread by contact with rodents or their urine, saliva or droppings, particularly when the material is disturbed and becomes airborne, posing a risk of inhalation.

The outbreak of the rare infection happened on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean killing the three victims, and sickening at least three others.

The Dutch company that operates the ship said it was sitting off of Africa’s west coast. Local authorities were assisting but had not allowed anyone to disembark.