WHO Probes Hantavirus Cases After Three Die on Atlantic Cruise Ship

A suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard the Dutch expedition cruise ship MV Hondius in the Atlantic Ocean has left three passengers dead and several others ill, prompting a multi-country response led by the World Health Organization. Health authorities have confirmed one laboratory-positive case , while five additional cases remain under investigation .

The vessel, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, was travelling from Argentina to Cape Verde with around 150–170 passengers and crew onboard when the outbreak emerged. The ship is currently docked in Praia as authorities assess the situation and coordinate medical evacuations.

Among the victims are reportedly an elderly Dutch couple , with the first case involving a 70-year-old man who fell ill during the voyage and died , followed by his wife who later died in a South African hospital. A British passenger remains in intensive care in Johannesburg, while two other symptomatic individuals and crew members require urgent treatment .

The WHO said it is conducting epidemiological investigations, laboratory testing, and virus sequencing to determine the source and extent of the outbreak. Authorities are also examining whether environmental contamination onboard , possibly linked to rodents, may have contributed to the infections.

Hantavirus is a rare but potentially fatal disease transmitted mainly through exposure to infected rodent urine, droppings, or saliva , and can cause severe respiratory or kidney complications. While human-to-human transmission is uncommon , officials remain cautious due to the confined cruise setting.

International agencies, including European governments, are assisting with repatriation efforts and monitoring affected nationals , as containment measures continue onboard.