Three Dead After Suspected Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship
Three passengers have died and several others have fallen ill following a suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic, according to the World Health Organization.
At least six people have developed symptoms linked to the virus, though only one case has been laboratory-confirmed so far. The remaining cases are considered suspected as investigations continue. Health officials say further testing and epidemiological assessments are underway to determine how the infections occurred.
The ship, MV Hondius, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, set sail from Argentina seven weeks ago, traveling through Antarctica and stopping at Saint Helena before anchoring in Praia, Cape Verde. Authorities have since quarantined passengers on board while local health teams assess the situation.
The source of the outbreak remains unclear, but experts say it could be linked to exposure to rodent droppings or urine. Another possibility is infection with the Andes strain of hantavirus—found in parts of Argentina and Chile—which has limited evidence of rare person-to-person transmission.
What we know about the victims
The first victim, a 70-year-old man, died while still on the ship. His body was later taken to Saint Helena. His wife, a Dutch national, collapsed at an airport in South Africa while attempting to return home and later died in hospital. A third death has also been confirmed, while a British passenger who fell ill after leaving the ship is receiving treatment in Johannesburg.
Efforts are ongoing to evacuate two symptomatic passengers for urgent medical care, as authorities coordinate an international response.
What is hantavirus?
Hantavirus infection is rare but potentially deadly. The viruses belong to a family known to cause severe illness, including two main syndromes: hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), which affects the kidneys, and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), which affects the lungs. About 38% of patients who develop respiratory complications from HPS may die, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Despite its severity, the disease remains uncommon. By the end of 2023, only 890 confirmed cases had been reported in the United States since surveillance began in 1993. There is currently no specific cure, and treatment focuses on managing symptoms, often requiring intensive supportive care such as oxygen therapy or hospitalization.
Hantaviruses are primarily spread through contact with infected rodents, especially through their droppings, urine, or saliva. Inhalation of contaminated particles is one of the most common routes of infection, while transmission through rodent bites or scratches is less common.
Only one strain the Andes virus is known to spread between humans, though such transmission is extremely rare. This strain is mainly found in parts of Chile and Argentina, regions the cruise ship had recently visited.
Early symptoms often resemble flu, including fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. Patients may also experience headaches, chills, dizziness, and sometimes abdominal pain. As the disease progresses, particularly in HPS cases, symptoms can rapidly worsen to include coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness as fluid builds up in the lungs—signs that require urgent medical attention.
Three passengers have died and several others have fallen ill following a suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic, according to the World Health Organization.
At least six people have developed symptoms linked to the virus, though only one case has been laboratory-confirmed so far. The remaining cases are considered suspected as investigations continue. Health officials say further testing and epidemiological assessments are underway to determine how the infections occurred.
The ship, MV Hondius, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, set sail from Argentina seven weeks ago, traveling through Antarctica and stopping at Saint Helena before anchoring in Praia, Cape Verde. Authorities have since quarantined passengers on board while local health teams assess the situation.
The source of the outbreak remains unclear, but experts say it could be linked to exposure to rodent droppings or urine. Another possibility is infection with the Andes strain of hantavirus—found in parts of Argentina and Chile—which has limited evidence of rare person-to-person transmission.
What we know about the victims
The first victim, a 70-year-old man, died while still on the ship. His body was later taken to Saint Helena. His wife, a Dutch national, collapsed at an airport in South Africa while attempting to return home and later died in hospital. A third death has also been confirmed, while a British passenger who fell ill after leaving the ship is receiving treatment in Johannesburg.
Efforts are ongoing to evacuate two symptomatic passengers for urgent medical care, as authorities coordinate an international response.
What is hantavirus?
Hantavirus infection is rare but potentially deadly. The viruses belong to a family known to cause severe illness, including two main syndromes: hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), which affects the kidneys, and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), which affects the lungs. About 38% of patients who develop respiratory complications from HPS may die, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Despite its severity, the disease remains uncommon. By the end of 2023, only 890 confirmed cases had been reported in the United States since surveillance began in 1993. There is currently no specific cure, and treatment focuses on managing symptoms, often requiring intensive supportive care such as oxygen therapy or hospitalization.
Hantaviruses are primarily spread through contact with infected rodents, especially through their droppings, urine, or saliva. Inhalation of contaminated particles is one of the most common routes of infection, while transmission through rodent bites or scratches is less common.
Only one strain the Andes virus is known to spread between humans, though such transmission is extremely rare. This strain is mainly found in parts of Chile and Argentina, regions the cruise ship had recently visited.
Early symptoms often resemble flu, including fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. Patients may also experience headaches, chills, dizziness, and sometimes abdominal pain. As the disease progresses, particularly in HPS cases, symptoms can rapidly worsen to include coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness as fluid builds up in the lungs—signs that require urgent medical attention.
