A suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard the expedition cruise ship MV Hondius has left three passengers dead, several others ill and nearly 150 people stranded offshore.
The 6,600 GT vessel, operated by Dutch company Oceanwide Expeditions, is currently positioned off Cape Verde after completing a repositioning voyage from Ushuaia, Argentina. The cruise, which began on March 20, included calls at South Georgia, Saint Helena, and other South Atlantic islands before reaching West African waters.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), at least one case of hantavirus has been laboratory confirmed, while several additional cases remain under investigation. In total, up to seven individuals have shown symptoms, including passengers and crew. Two crewmembers – one British and one Dutch – remain on board with respiratory illness, one in severe condition.
The outbreak has resulted in three fatalities. The first case involved a 70-year-old Dutch passenger who died on April 11, with the cause initially undetermined. His wife, aged 69, later fell ill after disembarking at Saint Helena and died following evacuation to South Africa. A third passenger, identified as a German national, died on board on May 2 shortly before the vessel reached Cape Verdean waters.
Another passenger, a British national, was evacuated on April 27 and remains in intensive care in Johannesburg.
Health authorities stress that hantavirus is typically transmitted through contact with infected rodent droppings or urine, often via airborne particles in enclosed environments. The source of the outbreak remains unclear, with investigators considering both onboard exposure and infection during shore excursions in South America. Early indications suggest a possible link to the Andes strain, which in rare instances may allow limited human-to-human transmission among close contacts.
The WHO, alongside Dutch and Cape Verdean authorities, is coordinating a response that includes medical evacuation, onboard containment measures, and epidemiological tracing. The agency has emphasized that the broader public risk remains low and that no travel restrictions are currently recommended.
Cape Verde has so far denied the vessel permission to dock as a precaution, leaving passengers and crew in isolation while discussions continue. Authorities have boarded the ship for assessment, and plans are underway to evacuate the remaining symptomatic crew. The Dutch government has also proposed repatriation of affected individuals and the deceased.
Oceanwide Expeditions reported that strict health protocols have been implemented on board, including isolation and monitoring of all passengers. The ship carries a medical doctor, and continuous observation is underway for potential new cases during the incubation window, which can range from one to eight weeks.
Negotiations over the vessel’s next port remain ongoing. The operator has explored the possibility of diverting to the Canary Islands – specifically Las Palmas or Tenerife – for controlled disembarkation and medical screening, though Spanish authorities have signaled caution pending further WHO assessment.
MV Hondius has a capacity of 170 passengers and was carrying 88 passengers and 61 crew members at the time of the incident. Those on board represent 23 nationalities, adding complexity to coordination efforts.
Medical experts note that hantavirus infections, while rare, can be severe, with mortality rates reaching up to 38% in pulmonary cases. There is no specific antiviral treatment, and care is largely supportive, including oxygen therapy and intensive monitoring.
As the situation develops, health authorities are focused on containing the outbreak, identifying the transmission pathway, and safely evacuating those affected – while minimizing the risk of further spread in a confined maritime environment.
