Hantavirus Outbreak Aboard MV Hondius Results in Three Deaths
An outbreak of the Andes strain of hantavirus aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship has led to three confirmed deaths and several suspected cases among passengers and crew.
An outbreak of the Andes strain of hantavirus aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship has resulted in three confirmed deaths and several suspected cases among passengers and crew. The vessel, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1, 2026, for a voyage through the South Atlantic, including stops in Antarctica and various remote islands.
The first fatality occurred on April 11, when a Dutch passenger died onboard. His body was removed from the ship on April 24 in Saint Helena, where his wife also disembarked. She later died in a Johannesburg hospital on April 26. A third passenger died onboard on May 2.
As of May 7, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported eight suspected cases and five confirmed cases across five countries, including South Africa, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Singapore, and France.
The MV Hondius is currently en route to the Canary Islands after being denied permission to dock in Cape Verde. Passengers are isolating in their cabins, and medical teams are onboard to manage the situation.
The Andes virus is the only hantavirus strain known to be transmitted person-to-person, typically through close and prolonged contact during the early phase of illness. The WHO emphasizes that the risk of a widespread epidemic is low due to the rarity of such transmission.
Dr. Stephen Kornfeld, a retired medical oncologist and passenger aboard the MV Hondius, assumed the role of the ship's doctor after the official physician became ill. He coordinated with WHO experts and implemented protective measures, including masks, isolation, and social distancing, to manage the outbreak.
The situation continues to develop as health authorities monitor and respond to the outbreak.
