Suspected Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship May Involve Rare Human-to-Human Transmission

A suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship has resulted in three deaths and raised concerns about possible human-to-human transmission, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The ship, currently anchored off the coast of Cape Verde, has reported two confirmed and five suspected cases among its 147 passengers and crew members.

"We do believe that there may be some human-to-human transmission that's happening among the really close contacts, the husband and wife, people who've shared cabins," said Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO's Director for Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention, during a press conference on Tuesday.

Hantavirus is typically transmitted through exposure to infected rodent excretions. However, the Andes virus strain, found in Argentina and Chile, is known to spread between humans in rare instances. The MV Hondius had departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, in late March, visiting remote islands before anchoring near Cape Verde.

Among the affected individuals, three have died, and one remains in intensive care in South Africa. Two additional patients on board are being prepared for medical evacuation to the Netherlands.

The WHO is collaborating with Spanish authorities to allow the ship to proceed to the Canary Islands for a comprehensive epidemiological investigation and disinfection.

While the situation is being closely monitored, the WHO has stated that the risk to the general public remains low.