Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleHolly EvansSunday 03 May 2026 21:48 BST(AFP/Getty)Three people have died and five others have fallen ill following a suspected virus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean.One case of hantavirus has been confirmed, with detailed investigations and further laboratory testing currently underway.A 69-year-old British national is currently in intensive care in Johannesburg, South Africa, after being evacuated from the vessel.The outbreak began with a 70-year-old passenger who died on board, followed by his 69-year-old wife who later died in a South African hospital.The World Health Organisation states that hantavirus infections are typically linked to exposure to infected rodents' urine or faeces, though human-to-human transmission is rare.In fullThree dead and British national in intensive care after virus outbreak on Atlantic cruise shipThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in