Three dead from hantavirus on a cruise ship in the Atlantic, WHO says

A rare hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean has claimed three lives and sickened at least three others, according to the World Health Organization and South Africa’s Department of Health.

The outbreak occurred on the MV Hondius, a Dutch-flagged polar cruise ship that departed Argentina approximately three weeks ago. The vessel’s itinerary included stops in Antarctica, the Falkland Islands, and other locations before heading toward Spain’s Canary Islands.

Among the deceased were an elderly married couple. The husband, a 70-year-old man, died aboard the ship, and his body was removed when the vessel docked at Saint Helena, a British territory in the South Atlantic. His wife later collapsed at a South African airport while attempting to return to her home in the Netherlands and subsequently died at a nearby hospital.

A British national is currently in intensive care at a Johannesburg hospital after falling ill near Ascension Island following the ship’s departure from Saint Helena. The WHO confirmed it is working with authorities to evacuate two additional passengers displaying symptoms from the vessel.

“Detailed investigations are ongoing, including further laboratory testing and epidemiological investigations,” the WHO stated. “Medical care and support are being provided to passengers and crew. Sequencing of the virus is also underway.”

Hantavirus, found worldwide, typically spreads through contact with the urine or feces of infected rodents such as rats and mice. While transmission between humans is rare, it can occur. The virus gained public attention last year when Betsy Arakawa, wife of the late actor Gene Hackman, died from a hantavirus infection in New Mexico. Hackman himself died about a week later from heart disease.

The infection can lead to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a severe and potentially fatal lung condition, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There is no specific treatment or cure for hantavirus infections, though early medical intervention can improve survival rates.

At the time of the outbreak, approximately 150 tourists were aboard the Hondius, which typically carries around 70 crew members, according to online tour operators that specialize in polar expeditions.

As of Sunday night, the vessel was docked in Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, an island nation off West Africa’s coast, according to the MarineTraffic global shipping website.

The WHO has stated it is collaborating with national authorities and the ship’s operators to conduct a “full public health risk assessment” and provide support for those still onboard. Meanwhile, South Africa’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases has initiated contact tracing in the Johannesburg region to identify any additional individuals who may have been exposed to infected passengers.

This outbreak highlights the potential health risks associated with confined spaces on cruise ships, which can sometimes facilitate the spread of infectious diseases. Maritime health protocols typically include rigorous sanitation procedures and medical screening, but rare diseases like hantavirus present unique challenges for prevention and containment.

The incident also draws attention to the logistical complexities of managing medical emergencies at sea, particularly on vessels traveling to remote destinations like Antarctica, where access to advanced healthcare facilities is limited. Cruise operators in these regions must maintain contingency plans for medical evacuations and coordination with international health authorities.

As investigations continue, health officials will likely focus on identifying the source of the outbreak and implementing measures to prevent further transmission among passengers and crew members.