As of May 7, 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed five cases of hantavirus and three deaths linked to an outbreak on the cruise ship MV Hondius.
A total of eight cases have been reported so far, with three remaining as suspected cases.
Outbreak Overview
The cluster was first reported on May 2, 2026, involving passengers traveling from Argentina toward Cape Verde and Europe.
Confirmed Cases: 5
Deaths: 3 (including a Dutch couple and a German national)
Strain: The Andes virus, a specific hantavirus known for rare but possible human-to-human transmission.
Vessel: The MV Hondius, carrying 147 passengers and crew from 23 different countries.
WHO Assessment and Response
The WHO currently assesses the global public health risk as low. While serious, officials emphasized that most people will never be exposed to the virus.
Containment: Symptomatic passengers have been medically evacuated to hospitals in South Africa, the Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland.
Next Steps: The ship is scheduled to dock in Tenerife, Canary Islands, on May 9, where strict disembarkation protocols will be followed to prevent contact with local citizens.
Investigation: Epidemiologists are investigating the source, with current hypotheses suggesting an index case may have contracted the virus during a road trip through Patagonia before boarding.
Key Symptoms and Prevention
Hantavirus is typically transmitted through contact with rodent urine, feces, or saliva.
Early Symptoms: Fever, fatigue, and muscle aches (often mistaken for the flu).
Progression: Can lead to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), characterized by severe shortness of breath and respiratory distress.
Treatment: There is currently no specific cure, vaccine, or antiviral treatment; management is primarily supportive.
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