The World Health Organization says it has begun tracing passengers who were on a flight from Saint Helena to Johannesburg after a cruise ship passenger died from Hantavirus.
In a statement, the global health body confirmed that the deceased was a Dutch national who had earlier disembarked from a cruise vessel now anchored off Cape Verde.
According to the WHO, the woman left the ship in Saint Helena last month after experiencing “gastrointestinal symptoms.”
Her condition worsened while aboard a flight to Johannesburg, where she later died.
“Contact tracing for passengers on the flight has been initiated,” the WHO said, adding that efforts are ongoing to identify and monitor individuals who may have been exposed during the journey.
The case follows the earlier death of her husband, who also succumbed to hantavirus while still on the cruise ship.
Health authorities have not yet disclosed how the couple contracted the virus, but hantavirus infections are typically linked to exposure to infected rodents or their droppings.
Public health officials are urging vigilance while investigations continue into the incident and potential risk to other passengers.
