Three people have died following a suspected outbreak of hantavirus aboard a cruise vessel operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, as the ship remains stationed off the coast of Cape Verde island.

The vessel, which had been travelling from Argentina, has been halted near the archipelago for at least 24 hours, with no clearance granted for passengers to disembark, according to local reports and the operator.

Among the dead are a Dutch couple, aged 70 and 69, who fell ill during the voyage and were evacuated from the ship. A third Dutch national has also died, with their body still on board.

A 69-year-old British passenger—currently the only confirmed case of the virus—is being treated in intensive care at a hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa, after being medically evacuated. Two crew members on the ship have also fallen ill and are in urgent need of care.

Oceanwide Expeditions said it is working with health authorities to manage the situation, but emphasized that the vessel has not yet received authorization to dock in Cape Verde.

Hantavirus is a rare but potentially serious infection transmitted primarily through contact with rats or mice or their droppings. Symptoms can initially resemble flu but may rapidly progress to severe respiratory complications. There is no specific antiviral treatment, and care is typically supportive, with early medical intervention considered critical.

Health officials have not yet confirmed the source of the suspected outbreak, and investigations are ongoing as authorities monitor the condition of passengers and crew still aboard the ship.

A landmark medical procedure has been carried out at Abu Ali Sina Balkhi Regional Hospital in Balkh province, where doctors have successfully performed a Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) to remove a nasal tumour for the first time.

The operation was conducted by the hospital’s Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist team on a 45-year-old patient who had been suffering from persistent nasal congestion and headaches. Hospital officials said the patient responded well to the procedure and was discharged in good condition following post-operative observation.

The achievement highlights growing surgical capacity at the regional facility.

According to hospital data, the ENT department treated 23,726 patients during the 1404 solar year. Of these, 881 patients required admission, while 874 underwent major surgical procedures.

Officials say the figures reflect both rising demand for specialised care and the expanding capabilities of the hospital’s ENT unit in northern Afghanistan.