Three passengers aboard the MV Hondius, a Dutch-flagged cruise ship operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, have died during a suspected hantavirus outbreak in the Atlantic Ocean. The World Health Organization confirmed the deaths on Sunday, May 3, while stressing that the risk to the general public remains low.
One case of hantavirus infection has been laboratory confirmed, with five additional suspected cases. Of the six affected individuals, three have died and one is currently in intensive care in South Africa.
The Voyage and the Victims
The MV Hondius departed Ushuaia in Argentina over a month ago, making stops in Antarctica before leaving again on April 1. It then stopped at the British overseas territory of Saint Helena before anchoring off Praia, the capital of Cape Verde.
The first of the deceased was a 70-year-old passenger who died on board. His body was transferred to the island of Saint Helena. His 69-year-old wife also fell ill on board and was evacuated to South Africa, where she died at a Johannesburg hospital. A third victim, a German national, also died, though the official cause of death has not yet been established.
After the ship left Saint Helena, a British national fell sick on April 27. He is currently in critical condition at a private medical facility in Johannesburg and is the only case confirmed as hantavirus through laboratory testing. Two crew members — one British and one Dutch national — are also experiencing acute respiratory symptoms requiring urgent care, though hantavirus has not been confirmed in either case.
Ship Refused Permission to Dock
Cape Verde has refused the MV Hondius permission to dock at the port of Praia as a precautionary measure. The 149 remaining passengers, representing 23 nationalities including 17 Americans, are required to follow strict precautionary measures, including isolation and medical monitoring.
The cruise operator said the ship may sail from Cape Verde to Las Palmas or Tenerife in the Canary Islands to disembark.
The WHO said it has notified global health authorities under international regulations and is continuing to support the response, including coordinating emergency medical evacuations. Dutch authorities are also working to coordinate the repatriation of those affected.
What Is Hantavirus
Hantaviruses are a family of viruses typically spread through exposure to the urine, saliva, or feces of infected rodents such as rats or mice. Infections are rare but can cause serious respiratory illness known as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. Symptoms begin with fatigue, fever, and muscle aches, and can progress to coughing, shortness of breath, and fluid buildup in the lungs. More than one third of patients who reach the respiratory stage may die from the syndrome, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Only one type of hantavirus — the Andes virus — is known to transmit from person to person, though such transmission is rare. It is primarily found in Chile and Argentina, where the MV Hondius originated.
How the Outbreak May Have Occurred
Medical experts have described the outbreak as unusual. Dr. Scott Miscovich, a family physician and president and CEO of Premier Medical Group, said it is highly unusual for a hantavirus outbreak to occur on a ship that has not traveled through areas where the virus is endemic. Two possible explanations have been identified: the ship may have been contaminated with rodent feces or urine, or a passenger may have contracted the Andes variant, which carries limited evidence of human-to-human transmission.
There is no specific cure for the virus, though early treatment can improve survival outcomes.
WHO Urges Calm
WHO Regional Director for Europe Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge said the risk to the wider public remains low and there is no need for panic or travel restrictions. Kluge described the incident as a reminder of the importance of international health collaboration, stating that health threats do not respect borders.
Detailed investigations remain ongoing, including further laboratory testing and epidemiological investigations, the WHO said.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information presented is based on reports from the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other credible public health authorities as of the date of publication. Readers who have concerns about potential exposure to hantavirus or related symptoms are encouraged to consult a licensed healthcare professional. Health situations can evolve rapidly; always refer to official public health agencies for the most current guidance.
