Three dead in suspected virus outbreak on Atlantic cruise ship

Three people have died after a suspected hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship sailing in the Atlantic Ocean, the World Health Organization (WHO) has told the BBC. One case of hantavirus has been confirmed, with five more suspected cases under investigation, it said. One British national aged 69 is in intensive care in Johannesburg, South Africa. The outbreak was reported aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship, which was travelling from Argentina to Cape Verde.Hantavirus infections are usually linked to environmental exposure, such as contact with urine or faeces from infected rodents, but in rare cases can spread between people, leading to severe respiratory illness. Foster Mohale, a spokesperson for South Africa's health ministry, earlier told the BBC that at least two people had died. The MV Hondius is run by Dutch-based tour company Oceanwide Expeditions.According to an itinerary on the Oceanwide Expeditions website, MV Hondius departed from Ushuaia in Argentina on 20 March and was expected to complete its journey on 4 May in Cape Verde.It is described as a 107.6m (353ft) polar cruise ship, with space for 170 people in 80 cabins.