Fatal Hantavirus Outbreak Confirmed Aboard Luxury Cruise Ship off West Africa
PRAIA/JOHANNESBURG — Medics are currently working to evacuate two individuals exhibiting symptoms of the deadly hantavirus following an outbreak on a luxury cruise ship near West Africa. The vessel, the Dutch-flagged MV Hondius, is carrying approximately 150 passengers and crew, primarily of British, American, and Spanish nationality.
The outbreak has resulted in three confirmed deaths: a Dutch couple and a German national. Authorities have confirmed at least one active case of hantavirus through laboratory testing, with a further five cases suspected. One British passenger, who fell ill in late April, is currently receiving treatment at a private clinic in South Africa.
The Netherlands' National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) is assisting with the crisis but noted that the exact source of the infection remains unclear. While hantavirus is typically spread via airborne particles from rodent waste, experts are investigating if the infection occurred during the ship's initial departure from Argentina. Although human-to-human transmission is rare, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has identified seven total cases linked to the vessel.
As a precaution, the following measures and conditions have been reported:
Vessel Lockdown: The operator, Oceanwide Expeditions, has instructed all passengers to remain in their cabins to prevent further spread.
Port Restrictions: Cape Verde authorities have refused the ship permission to dock. The operator is currently negotiating with Spanish authorities to potentially disembark passengers in the Canary Islands.
Repatriation Efforts: Plans are underway to evacuate two symptomatic crew members—one British and one Dutch—along with the remains of the deceased German national.
Public Risk: The WHO has stated that the risk to the general public remains low and has advised against travel restrictions.
The MV Hondius departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, in March for an Antarctic nature expedition. The voyage travelled through the Falklands and South Georgia before reaching Cape Verdean waters on 3 May. Authorities continue to monitor the situation as the incubation period for the virus can last several weeks.
