The World Health Organisation has confirmed a second case of Hantavirus infection aboard a cruise ship, bringing the total number of infections to seven, including three deaths.
In an update published on Monday, the agency said a total of seven cases, including two laboratory-confirmed infections and five suspected cases, have been identified among the 147 passengers and crew onboard.
One patient remains critically ill in intensive care, while three others are experiencing mild symptoms.
According to the report, the illness began between April 6 and April 28, with symptoms ranging from fever and gastrointestinal issues to rapid progression into pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome and, in severe cases, shock.
The vessel, which departed Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1, travelled across remote parts of the South Atlantic, including stops in Antarctica, South Georgia, Tristan da Cunha, and Saint Helena.
WHO said the outbreak is being managed through a coordinated international response involving case isolation, medical care, evacuations and further laboratory investigations.
The ship is currently moored off the coast of Cabo Verde, where medical teams are continuing assessments and collecting samples from those still onboard.
The agency also provided case details, noting that the first patient, an adult male, developed symptoms early in the voyage and died on board on April 11.
A second case, a female close contact, later died in South Africa after her condition worsened during travel.
Another patient, who was evacuated from Ascension Island, remains in intensive care after testing confirmed hantavirus infection.
Hantavirus is primarily transmitted through contact with infected rodents, including exposure to their urine, droppings or saliva.
While rare, the disease can cause severe respiratory illness and can be fatal.
Limited human-to-human transmission has been recorded in previous outbreaks involving specific strains.
WHO said the overall risk to the global population remains low but added that it will continue to monitor the situation and update its assessment as investigations progress.
