WHO Suspects Human-to-Human Hantavirus Transmission on Cruise Ship, Killing Three

A hantavirus outbreak on the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius has led to three deaths and prompted suspicions of human-to-human transmission, the World Health Organization stated Tuesday. The ship, carrying 88 passengers and 59 crew, is anchored off Cape Verde after the country denied docking due to health concerns.

Spain has agreed to receive the vessel in the Canary Islands following the evacuation of two sick crew members to the Netherlands. The outbreak involves two laboratory-confirmed cases and five suspected ones, with symptoms emerging between April 6 and April 28.

Victims experienced fever, gastrointestinal issues, rapid progression to pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and shock. The WHO suspects the Andes variant of the virus, which can spread between people in close contact, such as couples sharing cabins.

The ship departed Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1, visiting Antarctica, Tristan da Cunha, Saint Helena, and Ascension Island. A 70-year-old Dutch man died onboard April 11, followed by his 69-year-old wife, who disembarked April 24 with symptoms and died two days later during a flight to Johannesburg.

A German passenger also died, with the body remaining on the ship, according to Oceanwide Expeditions. A British man, one of the confirmed cases, was evacuated from Ascension Island on April 27 and is in critical but stable condition in intensive care in Johannesburg.

The two crew members awaiting evacuation—a British national and a Dutch national—are in stable condition but require urgent care. Among remaining passengers, 17 are American, 19 from the U.K., and 13 from Spain.

“We do believe there may be some human to human transmissions happening, among very close contact... that’s our working assumption.”

experts are investigating the source, noting no rats on board and assuming initial infections occurred before boarding, possibly from wildlife contact during activities like bird watching. Tests in South Africa are ongoing to confirm the variant. The organization assesses the global risk as low but has initiated contact tracing, including for passengers on the Dutch woman's flight to Johannesburg.

Cape Verde sent a medical team to the ship, including two doctors, a nurse, and a laboratory specialist, to assess and plan evacuations. Strict isolation and hygiene protocols are in place onboard, with passengers advised to stay in cabins. Oceanwide Expeditions reported a calm atmosphere and is coordinating disembarkation and screening.

The Dutch government is organizing the airlift using specialist aircraft. Spanish authorities are monitoring the situation and preparing for a full epidemiologic investigation and ship disinfection upon arrival. The WHO is collaborating with health officials from involved countries.

Hantavirus typically spreads from rodents via urine, saliva, or droppings, with rare human-to-human transmission. It has a mortality rate of up to 50 percent, and there is no specific treatment beyond supportive care like breathing aids. This marks the first known outbreak on a cruise ship.

Argentine officials confirmed no symptoms among passengers at departure from Ushuaia, though incubation can last up to eight weeks. Argentina reported 28 hantavirus deaths nationwide last year. The WHO continues to monitor and will update risk assessments as needed.

“The atmosphere on board m/v Hondius remains calm, with passengers generally composed.”

Health officials in Tierra del Fuego province noted the region has not historically seen cases, but infections occur elsewhere in Argentina. A possible new mild case onboard is under assessment. The Foreign Office described the situation as deeply worrying and is assisting affected British nationals.