Three die after suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard Atlantic cruise ship

A suspected hantavirus outbreak linked to an Atlantic cruise voyage has left three people dead, while a British tourist is being treated in hospital in South Africa.

South Africa’s Department of Health confirmed the British passenger tested positive for hantavirus after becoming ill while travelling between Saint Helena and Ascension Island aboard the cruise ship.

The tourist was first taken to a hospital on Ascension Island before being transferred to a private medical facility in Sandton, South Africa, for specialist treatment.

Health officials also confirmed two earlier deaths connected to the outbreak.

The first victim was a 70-year-old man who became ill while the ship travelled between Ushuaia and St Helena.

Authorities said he experienced fever, headaches, abdominal pain and diarrhoea before dying shortly after arriving on the island.

His 69-year-old wife, a Dutch national, later collapsed at OR Tambo International Airport while attempting to return to the Netherlands. She died at a nearby medical facility.

The vessel had reportedly travelled from Argentina towards Cape Verde, stopping at St Helena and Ascension Island during the journey.