Three cruise passengers have died aboard the MV Hondius along the coast of Africa during a suspected hantavirus outbreak. One case has been confirmed as hantavirus, with several other suspected cases still pending.

Hantavirus, which is typically contracted from infected rodents, made headlines in March of last year when it was determined to be the cause of death of Betsy Arakawa , the classical pianist married to Gene Hackman.

The virus is extremely rare in humans but can lead to two very serious diseases.

The MV Hondius, pictured off the port of Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, is the site of a potential hantavirus outbreak. AFP via Getty Images

The first disease, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), is the more common form in the US. HPS was Betsy Arakawa’s cause of death.

Patients can develop flu-like symptoms that quickly progress to breathing difficulties.…