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What began as a weeks-long luxury polar cruise has turned into a deadly outbreak, with three passengers dead, and a rare rodent-borne virus might be to blame.<\/span><\/p>\n The MV Hondius was sailing from Argentina to Cape Verde \u2014 after completing visits to Antarctica earlier in its voyage \u2014 when a 69-year-old Dutch man died last month from the suspected hantavirus. Days later, his wife also died. On April 27, a British passenger was evacuated and tested positive for the virus. The third death, involving a German national, was reported Saturday.<\/p>\n Following the latest fatality, the cruise line reached out to local authorities for additional support.<\/p>\n Hantavirus, which is transmitted through contact with infected rodent droppings, urine, or saliva, typically begins with flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, and body aches, before potentially progressing to breathing problems and possible lung or heart failure.<\/p>\n Roughly 150 people remain on board as authorities assess the situation. The ship has reportedly sought assistance after being denied permission to <\/span>dock in the West African island nation of Cape Verde, according to the <\/span>New York Post<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n One of the passengers, Jake Rosmarin, took to social media to express the gravity of the situation, saying the outbreak is not just a news report, it\u2019s their lived reality.<\/p>\n Cruise passenger sobs about being stuck on cruise ship where 3 have died in hantavirus outbreak https:\/\/t.co\/btzN1Fg8la<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/pe6GMQvkoe<\/a><\/p>\n\n