Suspected Human-to-Human Hantavirus Transmission on Luxury Cruise Ship Linked to Three Deaths

Suspected Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship Claims Three Lives, WHO Investigating

A rare potential case of human-to-human transmission of hantavirus aboard the Dutch vessel MV Hondius has left three passengers dead and at least four others ill, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The ship remains anchored off the coast of Cape Verde as health authorities investigate the outbreak.

The WHO on Tuesday confirmed that two cases of hantavirus infection have been laboratory verified, while five additional suspected cases await confirmation. Of the seven affected individuals, three have died and one is currently receiving intensive care treatment in South Africa.

“We do believe that there may be some human-to-human transmission that’s happening among the really close contacts, the husband and wife, people who have shared cabins,” said Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO’s director of epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention, during a press briefing in Geneva.

The possibility of human-to-human transmission is particularly significant as hantavirus typically spreads through contact with infected rodents rather than between people. Humans are primarily infected through exposure to urine, droppings, or saliva from infected rodents, making this potential cruise ship outbreak unusual.

According to WHO officials, there were reportedly no rats aboard the cruise vessel, leading investigators to theorize that the deceased Dutch couple may have been infected in Argentina before boarding the ship. The MV Hondius had been on an extended polar cruise from Argentina to Antarctica and several remote islands in the South Atlantic when the outbreak occurred.

“Some people on the ship were couples, they were sharing rooms so that’s quite intimate contact,” Van Kerkhove explained, suggesting this close proximity may have facilitated transmission between passengers.

The nearly 150 passengers and crew members aboard the vessel are currently under strict quarantine protocols. The WHO confirmed on Monday that passengers have been instructed to remain in their cabins to “limit their risk while disinfection and other measures are being taken.” Cape Verde officials have denied the ship permission to dock due to health concerns.

Hantavirus infections can lead to severe respiratory illness and, in some cases, prove fatal. While limited human-to-human transmission has been documented in previous outbreaks of the Andes variant of the virus, such cases are considered extremely rare, which makes this situation particularly concerning for health officials.

Despite the ongoing investigation, the WHO emphasized that the risk to the wider public remains low. The agency is coordinating with health authorities across multiple countries to manage the situation and determine the next steps for the vessel and its passengers.

“The plan for now is for the ship to continue on to the Canary Islands,” Van Kerkhove told reporters. “We’re working with Spanish authorities, who will welcome the ship.” This would allow passengers to disembark and for those requiring medical care to receive appropriate treatment.

The cruise industry, which has faced multiple public health challenges in recent years, including widespread COVID-19 outbreaks, will likely face renewed scrutiny regarding onboard health protocols following this incident.

Health authorities are continuing to investigate whether all the cases are connected and determining when those in need of medical attention will be permitted to leave the vessel. The WHO and other health agencies are working to establish the exact timeline of infections and confirm the specific strain of hantavirus involved in this outbreak.

For passengers and their families, the situation remains tense as they await further guidance from health officials and the cruise operator regarding evacuation plans and medical interventions for those showing symptoms.