A suspected outbreak of hantavirus aboard a cruise ship stranded off Cape Verde has left three people dead and several others infected, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
In a statement released Tuesday, the WHO confirmed that as of May 4, 2026, seven cases had been identified among passengers and crew aboard the MV Hondius. This includes two laboratory-confirmed cases and five suspected infections. Among the cases, three individuals have died, one remains critically ill, and three are experiencing mild symptoms.
The cruise vessel, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, was on a journey from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Cape Verde when the outbreak occurred. Health authorities reported that symptoms began appearing between April 6 and April 28, with patients presenting fever, gastrointestinal distress, and in severe cases, rapid progression to pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and shock.
Of the seven identified cases, four individuals remain on board the vessel, while three had already disembarked. A German passenger died on the ship on Saturday, while earlier fatalities included a Dutch couple. The husband died onboard on April 11, and his wife later succumbed to the illness after disembarking in Saint Helena to accompany his body.
The WHO disclosed that the woman developed worsening symptoms during a flight from Saint Helena to Johannesburg on April 25 and died the following day at a medical facility. Laboratory confirmation later established hantavirus infection through PCR testing.
Authorities are now working to trace passengers who were on the same flight, as part of efforts to contain any potential spread.
The ship, carrying 147 individuals from 23 nationalities—including passengers from the United Kingdom, Spain, and the United States, as well as crew members from the Philippines—remains under close monitoring. A British passenger is currently receiving intensive care in Johannesburg, while two crew members, one British and one Dutch, require urgent medical attention.
Hantavirus is a rare but potentially fatal disease typically transmitted through contact with infected rodent excretions, including urine, feces, or saliva. While human-to-human transmission is uncommon, it has been documented in previous outbreaks.
Despite the severity of the cases, the WHO has assessed the overall global risk from the outbreak as low, noting that investigations are ongoing and the situation remains under close observation.
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