Hantavirus Outbreak on International Cruise Ship: WHO and Africa CDC Monitor Rising Cases

The World Health Organization (WHO) and regional health agencies are closely monitoring a deadly cluster of Hantavirus infections linked to the international cruise ship MV Hondius. As of May 6, 2026, health authorities have identified eight confirmed and suspected cases, including three fatalities.

The outbreak has prompted an international response across multiple continents as passengers from the vessel have been evacuated to hospitals in South Africa, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.

Outbreak Timeline and the MV Hondius

The MV Hondius, operated by the Dutch company Oceanwide Expeditions, departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, on March 20, 2026. The ship was traveling toward the Canary Islands via Cabo Verde when passengers began showing severe respiratory symptoms in late April.

• April 11: The first fatality occurred on board; a Dutch male passenger died while the ship was at sea.

  
  

  
  

• April 26: The wife of the first victim died in a South African hospital after deboarding at Saint Helena.

  
  

  
  

• May 2: A third fatality, a German national, was recorded on board the vessel.

  
  

  
  

• May 4–6: Confirmed cases emerged in Switzerland and the United Kingdom, with several patients evacuated via air ambulance for specialized care.

  
  

  
  

Preliminary assessments by the WHO suggest that the initial exposure likely occurred prior to boarding, though the possibility of limited secondary transmission on the ship is being investigated.

Identification of the "Andes" Strain

On May 6, laboratory testing confirmed that the outbreak involves the Andes hantavirus strain. This is a significant development because the Andes strain is the only known hantavirus capable of human-to-human transmission, typically in close-contact settings.

Symptoms and Disease Progression

Hantavirus is a zoonotic disease typically spread by rodents through contact with their urine, droppings, or saliva. The current cases have progressed toward Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), a severe and often fatal respiratory condition.

• Early Symptoms: Fever, fatigue, and muscle aches (particularly in the back and thighs).

  
  

  
  

• Gastrointestinal Distress: About half of patients experience nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

  
  

  
  

• Late Stage (4-10 days later): Rapid progression to pneumonia, fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), and acute respiratory distress syndrome.

  
  

  
  

The mortality rate for HPS can be as high as 38%, and there is currently no specific cure or vaccine; treatment focuses on supportive clinical care.