Officials finally think they know origin of hantavirus outbreak on cruise that caused three deaths

What was supposed to be a breathtaking expedition through the remote beauty of southern Argentina instead became a terrifying lesson in how quickly danger can spread in confined spaces. A luxury cruise carrying passengers through the waters near Ushuaia reportedly descended into chaos after cases of the rare Andes strain of hantavirus emerged onboard, forcing authorities to isolate the vessel and leaving more than 150 people stranded in uncertainty near Cape Verde.

Investigators believe the outbreak may have begun during what initially seemed like a harmless birdwatching excursion near a landfill outside Ushuaia. According to reports, a Dutch couple may have been exposed to dust contaminated by infected rodent droppings, unknowingly carrying the virus back onto the ship.