A suspected outbreak of rodent-borne disease hantavirus in a cruise ship that parted from Argentina has the international health community on alert.

So far, three passengers have died — a Dutch couple and a German national. Two crew members are symptomatic and awaiting medical evacuation.

A British person is in intensive care in South Africa and is the only one to have laboratory confirmation that they have hantavirus, according to Oceanview Expeditions, the company which owns the cruise.

The World Health Organization (WHO), which is currently assessing the situation, said there are five suspected hantavirus cases and one confirmed amongst those who were or are on board the ship.

WHO is aware of and supporting a public health event involving a cruise vessel sailing in the Atlantic Ocean. To date, one case of hantavirus infection has been laboratory confirmed, and there are five additional suspected cases. Of the six affected individuals, three have died… pic.twitter.com/SqMAAZzoID— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) May 3, 2026

WHO is aware of and supporting a public health event involving a cruise vessel sailing in the Atlantic Ocean. To date, one case of hantavirus infection has been laboratory confirmed, and there are five additional suspected........

© Buenos Aires Herald