A BRITISH tourist was taken to a hospital in South Africa today following a suspected hantavirus outbreak on a cross-Atlantic cruise ship.

The World Health Organisation said that three people have died and at least are ill as they announced an investigation into the potential outbreak.

One case was already confirmed aboard the Dutch-flagged passenger cruise ship MH Hondius as it was sailing from Argentina to Cap Verde.

Usually spread through rodents, hantavirus infections can lead to severe respiratory illness. It can be fatal in some cases.

The South African Department of Health said that a British man who became ill on the ship had been taken to a private health facility in Johannesburg where he tested positive for the virus.

A British foreign office spokesperson said: “We are closely monitoring reports of a potential hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship Hondius and stand ready to support British nationals if needed.”