Live newsroomScoop NewsLast newsroom update: Sep 20, 3:00 PM

Live source delayed — keeping the latest verified scores on screen while the desk reconnects.

BreakingU.S.Reported

3 dead in suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship: What to know

The ship is off the coast of Cape Verde with 149 people on board. A rare rodent-borne disease may be behind a deadly outbreak aboard a cruise ship. There have been two laboratory-confirmed cases and five suspected cases of hantavirus, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Of those seven people, three have died between April 11 and May 2 and one is currently in intensive care, according to the WHO. The WHO said Monday that investigations into the deaths and illnesses are ongoing, including further laboratory testing.

Missing media or need the complete publisher report? Open ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos

Scoop News DeskCape Verde · Published Sunday, September 20, 2026 at 9:30 AM UTCUpdated Sunday, September 20, 2026 at 3:00 PM UTC

Coverage image for: 3 dead in suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship: What to know

Media link supplied by the Scoop Newsroom app.

Scoop News reporting summary

The text below was supplied by the Scoop Newsroom app. Third-party reporting is attributed in the source panel.

No specific treatment is available for hantavirus infection, with the CDC recommending patients receive supportive care such as rest, hydration and tre 3 dead in suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship: What to know - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos. The passenger began showing symptoms on April 24 and he was medically evacuated from Ascension to South Africa on April 27, according to the WHO. "Despite medical treatment provided to him at Ascension, his condition did not improve and necessitated his medical evacuation to a South African private health facility in Sandton for further medical management," South African health officials said.

Breaking news moves fast. Follow @Will466513 on X for breaking news alerts. Follow on X →

Transparent record

Story timeline

Dated changes to this report are shown here as they are published.

Version 2unpublished
Friday, September 11, 2026 at 2:44 AM UTC
Removed by Scoop Timeline eligibility policy
Version 3published
Sunday, September 20, 2026 at 2:45 PM UTC
The ship is off the coast of Cape Verde with 149 people on board. A rare rodent-borne disease may be behind a deadly outbreak aboard a cruise ship. There have been two laboratory-confirmed cases and five suspected cases of hantavirus, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Of those seven people, three have died between April 11 and May 2 and one is currently in intensive care, according to the WHO. The WHO said Monday that investigations into the deaths and illnesses are ongoing, including further laboratory testing.
Version 4unpublished
Sunday, September 20, 2026 at 3:00 PM UTC
Removed by Scoop Timeline eligibility policy