WHO confirms hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship MV Hondius with five cases and three deaths, warning more infections may still emerge

The World Health Organization has confirmed five cases of hantavirus infection linked to an outbreak aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius, currently sailing in the Atlantic Ocean, while warning that additional cases may still emerge as investigations continue.

Also read: Nigeria Eurobonds Surge as Investor Confidence Improves Strongly

The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said on Thursday that the outbreak has so far recorded eight cases, including three deaths, with five confirmed infections and three still suspected.

He disclosed that the strain involved is the Andes virus, a rare hantavirus typically found in Latin America and known in limited cases for human-to-human transmission.

The vessel, a Dutch-flagged cruise ship, departed Ushuaia in Argentina on April 1 and has been travelling north through the Atlantic, with stops at remote locations before heading towards Cape Verde and later Tenerife.

Dr Tedros said he had been in regular contact with the ship’s captain, noting that morale among passengers and crew had improved since the vessel resumed movement.

“He told me morale has improved significantly since the ship started moving again. I thank him for everything he has done to protect those under his duty of care,” he said.

The WHO cautioned that due to the incubation period of the Andes virus, which can last up to six weeks, more cases could still be reported among passengers or disembarked travellers.

WHO emergency response director, Dr Abdi Rahman Mahamud, said the situation is being closely monitored but remains under control.

“We believe this will be a limited outbreak if the public health measures are implemented and solidarity shown across all countries,” he said.

Hantavirus is typically transmitted through contact with infected rodents, particularly through exposure to urine, droppings, or saliva. The Andes strain remains the only known variant capable of human-to-human transmission.

The WHO also confirmed that Argentina will supply 2,500 diagnostic kits to laboratories in five countries to support testing and containment efforts.

Health authorities have notified 12 countries whose citizens had been on board the vessel during its voyage, including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Singapore, Denmark, Turkey, New Zealand, and Saint Kitts and Nevis.

The ship had previously stopped at Saint Helena between April 22 and 24, during which time around 30 passengers disembarked, including one of the reported fatalities, a Dutch national who died on April 11.

Also read: Nigeria Eurobonds Surge as Investor Confidence Improves Strongly

Health officials continue to monitor the situation as international coordination efforts intensify to prevent further spread of the rare but serious disease.