New Delhi, May 4 -- At least three passengers aboard the MV Hondius, an international cruise ship sailing from South America toward the Canary Islands, have died following suspected infections of hantavirus, a rare family of rodent-borne viruses that rarely appears in maritime settings. The World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed the deaths on Sunday, noting that one case had been verified through laboratory testing, with five additional suspected cases under investigation.

South Africa's National Department of Health confirmed that passengers were receiving care in South African medical facilities "following serious health complications arising from undiagnosed severe acute respiratory infection," according to department spokesman Fos...