Three People Dead After Hantavirus Outbreak on Atlantic Cruise Ship

Three people have died and at least one remains in intensive care after a suspected hantavirus outbreak struck passengers aboard the MV Hondius, a polar expedition cruise ship sailing across the Atlantic Ocean, the World Health Organization confirmed Sunday.

The WHO reported that one case has been laboratory confirmed, with five additional suspected cases. Of the six people affected, three have died and one is receiving critical care in South Africa.

What Happened?

The MV Hondius, operated by Dutch-based tour company Oceanwide Expeditions, departed from Ushuaia, Argentina on an expedition itinerary that included stops in Antarctica and the Falkland Islands before crossing the Atlantic through Saint Helena, a remote British territory, and continuing toward Cape Verde and ultimately Spain’s Canary Islands.

Approximately 150 tourists were on board when passengers began falling ill, along with a crew of around 70.

The first person to develop symptoms was a 70-year-old male passenger. He died aboard the ship; his body is currently being held at Saint Helena. His 69-year-old wife also became ill during the voyage and was medically evacuated to South Africa, where she later died in a Johannesburg hospital. A source close to the case identified them as a Dutch couple, though authorities had not officially confirmed their nationality as of Sunday. A third victim, a 69-year-old British national, was also evacuated to Johannesburg, where he was being treated in intensive care.

South Africa’s health ministry initially described the illness as a “severe acute respiratory illness.” Laboratory testing on the Johannesburg patient confirmed a positive result for hantavirus. The cause of exposure is still under investigation.

As of Sunday, the MV Hondius was reported near Praia, the capital of Cape Verde. Authorities were weighing whether two additional sick passengers should be hospitalized in Cape Verde before the ship resumed its journey to the Canary Islands.

What Is Hantavirus?

Hantavirus is a family of viruses primarily transmitted to humans through contact with infected rodents, through their droppings, urine, or saliva, or by inhaling contaminated dust in areas where rodents are present. Direct bites can also spread infection.

The WHO noted that while person-to-person transmission is rare, it is possible with some strains, and the virus can produce severe respiratory illness. There is no specific antiviral treatment approved for hantavirus, but early medical intervention significantly improves survival odds.

Different hantavirus strains cause different disease profiles, and investigators are currently working to sequence the specific virus strain involved in this outbreak.

WHO and International Response

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus confirmed Sunday that the agency is actively coordinating with the ship’s operators and the governments of affected member states. The WHO said it is facilitating medical evacuations for symptomatic passengers, conducting a full public health risk assessment, and providing support to those remaining on board.

South Africa’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases launched contact tracing efforts in the Johannesburg area to determine if anyone who came into contact with the evacuated patients may have been exposed.

Cruise operator Oceanwide Expeditions had not issued a public statement as of Sunday evening. The investigation is ongoing.