Three people have died and several others remain under medical observation following a hantavirus outbreak aboard the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius, prompting an international public health response as the vessel continues toward Spain’s Canary Islands.
Health authorities have linked the outbreak to the Andes virus, a strain of hantavirus, a rare rodent-borne illness primarily found in South America. The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that two passengers tested positive for the virus, while additional suspected cases are still being assessed. Officials have emphasized close monitoring due to the severity of the illness and concerns over possible limited human-to-human transmission among close contacts.
The ship departed Argentina on April 1st and passed through remote regions including Antarctica, South Georgia, and several Atlantic islands before the outbreak was identified. According to WHO updates, 146 passengers and crew members from 23 countries remain onboard under isolation, with medical teams continuing treatment and containment measures.
WHO official Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove noted that transmission may be occurring “among the really close contacts,” including passengers sharing cabins. Those onboard have been instructed to remain in isolation while essential services, including food delivery and medical checks, continue.
Among the confirmed cases are a Dutch woman who died and a British passenger receiving intensive care in South Africa. A Swiss passenger is being treated in Zurich, while additional suspected cases involving British, Dutch, and German nationals are under observation in Europe. Several patients have been evacuated for specialized care following exposure risks identified during the voyage.
Health authorities in the United States are also monitoring passengers who disembarked before the ship reached Cape Verde. Officials in Georgia, Arizona, and California confirmed they are tracking individuals linked to the voyage, though none have developed symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that “the risk to the American public is extremely low.”
Investigators are examining whether initial infections may have occurred during wildlife excursions in South America prior to boarding. Argentine authorities are focusing on possible exposure during bird-watching activities near a landfill in Ushuaia, where contact with rodent-contaminated environments may have occurred.
Hantaviruses spread mainly through exposure to infected rodent urine, saliva, or droppings. Severe cases can lead to respiratory failure or kidney complications. The Andes virus has a reported mortality rate of 20% to 40%, and there is currently no specific cure or widely available vaccine, although early treatment can improve survival outcomes.
