What is the hantavirus?

A British tourist who was on board a cruise ship with three people who died of suspected hantavirus is being treated in a South African hospital.

Local health authorities have confirmed the patient tested positive for the disease.

Two others on board the MV Hondius, which left Argentina three weeks ago, are also ill. They were expected to be evacuated from the vessel, anchored in the Atlantic Ocean off Cape Verde.

According to a World Health Organisation statement, a full public health risk assessment is being conducted.

Hantaviruses are a family of viruses which can cause serious illnesses and death.

They are typically linked to exposure to infected rodents’ urine, faeces or saliva. And while rare, the WHO said hantavirus may spread between people.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hantaviruses cause two syndromes: hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS).

HPS affects the lungs. Symptoms include fatigue, fever, muscle aches, headaches, dizziness, chills, abdominal problems, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain.

HFRS affects the kidneys. Early symptoms include intense headaches, back and abdominal pain, fever/chills, nausea, and blurred vision. Later symptoms can include low blood pressure, lack of blood flow, internal bleeding, and acute kidney failure, which can cause severe fluid overload.

Early medical attention increases the chance of survival.

Hantavirus made the news last year when Hollywood actor Gene Hackman's wife, Betsy Arakawa, died of the disease. Rodent nests were found near their home. Hackman, who had Alzheimer's, died of a heart attack a few days later. Their bodies were found in separate rooms on 26 February 2025.