WHO says confirmed hantavirus cases from cruise ship has risen to 5, including 2 passengers evacuated Wednesday – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Pexels)
Praia, Cape Verde — Three passengers died and health officials confirmed multiple hantavirus infections aboard an Antarctic expedition cruise ship anchored off this West African island nation. The World Health Organization reported seven cases in total, including two laboratory-confirmed instances, as authorities arranged urgent medical evacuations.[1][2] Passengers and crew remained confined to cabins while medical teams assessed the situation and investigated a potentially rare instance of human-to-human transmission.
A Deadly Turn on an Antarctic Voyage
The MV Hondius, a Dutch-flagged vessel operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, departed Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1, 2026, for a high-end polar expedition. Priced between 14,000 and 22,000 euros per berth, the trip included stops at mainland Antarctica, South Georgia, remote Atlantic islands like Tristan da Cunha and Saint Helena, before heading toward the Canary Islands.[3] Illnesses began emerging shortly after, with onset dates ranging from April 6 to 28.
Symptoms started with fever and gastrointestinal issues but quickly progressed to severe pneumonia, acute respiratory distress, and shock in some patients. The first fatality occurred on April 11, when a 70-year-old Dutch man died on Saint Helena. His 69-year-old wife collapsed during a flight to South Africa on April 25 and succumbed the next day. A German national perished aboard the ship on May 2.[2]
Confirmed Cases and Isolation Measures
By May 4, the WHO tallied seven cases: two lab-confirmed hantaviruses, five suspected, among the ship’s 147 occupants—88 passengers and 59 crew from 23 nationalities. Two individuals reported mild symptoms, while one remained critically ill after earlier evacuation.[1] No rats were found on board, pointing to possible exposure before departure or at ports with rodent populations.
- Dutch couple: Confirmed exposures linked to early deaths.
- British passenger: Lab-confirmed, now in intensive care in Johannesburg.
- Two crew members (British and Dutch): Symptomatic, awaiting evacuation.
- Three mild cases: Under monitoring on ship.
Cape Verde authorities barred docking at Praia port, dispatching doctors, surgeons, nurses, and lab specialists instead. Passengers stayed in cabins, practicing distancing and hygiene, with fresh supplies delivered to maintain morale.[2]
Evacuations and Path Forward
A British man fell ill on April 27 and was medically evacuated to Ascension Island, then South Africa for ICU treatment. Two crew members and a close contact of the German deceased prepared for flights to the Netherlands on specialized aircraft. The German’s body also faced repatriation.[4] These moves aligned with the original report of two passengers evacuated mid-week.
Once cleared, the ship planned a three-day sail to Spain’s Canary Islands for screening and disembarkation in Las Palmas or Tenerife. Dutch officials and the Netherlands’ National Institute for Public Health coordinated support. Cape Verde enhanced port protocols as a precaution, though no wider threat emerged.
Rare Virus Raises Transmission Questions
Hantavirus typically spreads through inhaling particles from infected rodent urine, droppings, or saliva—a risk in remote areas visited by the ship. Most strains do not transmit between humans, but the Andes variant from Argentina and Chile has done so in close contacts during past outbreaks.[3] Investigators probed whether initial infections occurred pre-boarding in Ushuaia or via wildlife at stops.
The WHO assessed global public risk as low, with no travel restrictions needed. Treatment remained supportive, relying on ventilators for severe respiratory failure, as no specific antiviral existed. Officials emphasized the event’s rarity, with case fatality rates varying from under 15 percent in some regions to 50 percent in the Americas.[1]
Passengers described a tense but resilient atmosphere, filling time with reading, films, and communal meals in isolation. As evacuations proceeded and the vessel eyed safer harbors, the outbreak underscored vulnerabilities on extended voyages through rodent-prone wildernesses. Health agencies vowed continued monitoring to prevent further spread.
