How South African scientists identified hantavirus on a cruise ship thousands of miles away
Johannesburg, South AfricaConfidence 85%4 affected1 week ago
South African scientists identified hantavirus in a passenger from the MV Hondius cruise ship, leading to a WHO outbreak announcement. The article details the identification process, mentioning one confirmed case and three deaths.
Species mentioned
- Humans
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- PrimaryHow South African scientists identified hantavirus on a cruise ship thousands of miles away
apnews.com · 2026-05-23
South African infectious disease specialists at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases rapidly identified hantavirus as the cause of illness in a passenger evacuated from the MV Hondius cruise ship to a Johannesburg hospital on May 1, 2026. Within 24 hours, they confirmed hantavirus, specifically the Andes strain, which led to the WHO announcing the outbreak. The British man, the first confirmed case, is improving, while three other passengers have died.
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