Three people have died and three others have fallen ill following a suspected hantavirus outbreak on a Netherlands-based expedition cruise ship, according to authorities and international health agencies.
The vessel, the MV Hondius, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, departed Argentina about three weeks ago with around 150 passengers. It travelled through Antarctic waters and other destinations before heading towards Cape Verde, where the situation escalated.
A spokesperson for the Dutch Foreign Ministry confirmed that two Dutch nationals are among the deceased, though further details have not yet been released.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) said one of the infected passengers is currently in intensive care in Johannesburg. Reports indicate the patient is a British national.
In a statement, the WHO said it is coordinating international efforts to manage the situation.
“WHO is facilitating coordination between member states and the ship’s operators for medical evacuation of two symptomatic passengers, as well as a full public health risk assessment and support to the remaining passengers on board,” the agency said.
Cruise operator Oceanwide Expeditions said authorities in Cape Verde have not yet granted permission for passengers requiring urgent medical care to disembark. Dutch officials are meanwhile working on arrangements to repatriate two symptomatic passengers and the body of one deceased traveller.
Health experts say hantavirus is a rodent-borne disease transmitted when humans inhale particles from infected urine, saliva or droppings. Human-to-human transmission is rare, though not impossible.
The illness typically begins with flu-like symptoms before potentially progressing to severe respiratory complications, including heart and lung failure. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the fatality rate can be as high as 40% in some cases.
The WHO has confirmed that laboratory testing has already identified hantavirus in one of the six affected individuals, while at least five other suspected cases are still under investigation. Further genetic sequencing is underway to determine the exact strain involved.
The outbreak remains under close international monitoring as health authorities continue risk assessments and medical coordination efforts involving passengers still on board the vessel.
