Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship Leads to Evacuations and International Response

A suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius has resulted in three deaths and prompted the evacuation of three patients to Europe, as international health authorities coordinate responses.

The MV Hondius, a Dutch-flagged cruise ship operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, departed Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1, 2026, for a voyage through Antarctica and the South Atlantic. The vessel, carrying 147 passengers and crew from 23 nationalities, is currently anchored off the coast of Cape Verde.

As of May 4, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported seven cases of severe respiratory illness among those on board, including three fatalities. Two cases have been laboratory-confirmed as hantavirus infections, while five remain suspected. The deceased include a Dutch couple and a German national.

Hantavirus is primarily transmitted through contact with the urine, feces, or saliva of infected rodents. While human-to-human transmission is rare, certain strains, such as the Andes virus found in South America, have exhibited this capability.

The outbreak's origin is under investigation. Argentine officials suggest that a Dutch couple may have contracted the virus while bird-watching near a landfill in Ushuaia before boarding the ship.

In response to the outbreak, three individuals—a 41-year-old Dutch national, a 56-year-old British national, and a 65-year-old German national—were evacuated to the Netherlands for specialized medical care. Two remain in serious condition, while the third, though asymptomatic, was closely associated with a deceased passenger.

Cape Verdean authorities have denied the ship permission to dock to protect public health. The vessel is considering alternative ports, including locations in Spain's Canary Islands, for disembarkation and further medical assessment.

The WHO has dispatched infectious disease experts to support the ongoing investigation and ensure appropriate clinical care. The organization assesses the risk to the global population as low but continues to monitor the situation closely.

Passengers and crew remaining on board are currently asymptomatic and are isolating in their cabins as a precautionary measure.

Authorities in Switzerland and South Africa are conducting contact tracing and testing among individuals who disembarked from the ship in those countries. To date, most contacts have tested negative for hantavirus.

The situation remains fluid as international health agencies and national authorities collaborate to manage the outbreak and prevent further transmission.