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MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak Three passengers infected with hantavirus pulmonary syndrome from the Andes virus are evacuated off the MV Hondius cruise ship while it is stationed
Confirmed
HANTAVIRUS DEATHS ON CRUISE SHIP HIGHLIGHT DANGERS OF RODENT-BORNE DISEASE A passenger aboard the m/v Hondius describes uncertainty and calls for clarity in a video recorded as officials investigate an outbreak linked to three deaths. (Credit: @Jakerosmarin via Reuters) The vessel, m/v Hondius, remains off the coast of Cape Verde as authorities work to determine whether the cases are connected and when those requiring medical care will be allowed to disembark.
CRUISE SHIP OUTBREAK LEAVES 3 DEAD AS OFFICIALS DELAY MEDICAL EVACUATIONS AND PROBE HANTAVIRUS THREAT The cruise ship m/v Hondius is stationary off the port of Praia, Cape Verde, on May 4, 2026, with strict isolation measures in place after a suspected hantavirus outbreak killed three people on board. (AFP/ ) On April 27, the cruise line said the passenger’s wife, also Dutch, became ill during her return journey and later died.
The World Health Organization said three passengers have died after they contracted the Andes strain of the virus, which is known to be transmissible between people. The Dutch Foreign Affairs Ministry said that "two sick passengers and a possibly infected passenger" were evacuated and transferred to specialized hospitals in Europe.
The strain is found in parts of Argentina, where the luxury cruise ship MV Hondius set sail. Jake Rosmarin, another passenger on the ship, said in a statement Wednesday on Instagram that the ship has “stricter precautions” in place but that passengers can access the outside decks and have meals delivered to their rooms.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said Sunday that one case of hantavirus infection has been laboratory confirmed, while five additional suspected cases are pending. A man who had traveled on the Hondius was being treated for hantavirus in Zurich, the Swiss government said in a statement early Wednesday.
A variant of hantavirus has been identified in that patient, who is of British nationality, the cruise line said. He said the ship’s captain and other leaders have been keeping passengers informed.
The patient tested positive for hantavirus, according to South African health officials. (AFP via ) Two crew members on board — one British and one Dutch — are also experiencing acute respiratory symptoms and require urgent medical care, the company said.
“The Department of State is leading a coordinated, whole-of-government response including direct contact with passengers, diplomatic coordination, and engagement with domestic and international health authorities,” the CDC said in a statement.
What's confirmed
- HANTAVIRUS DEATHS ON CRUISE SHIP HIGHLIGHT DANGERS OF RODENT-BORNE DISEASE A passenger aboard the m/v Hondius describes uncertainty and calls for clarity in a video recorded as officials investigate an outbreak linked to
- CRUISE SHIP OUTBREAK LEAVES 3 DEAD AS OFFICIALS DELAY MEDICAL EVACUATIONS AND PROBE HANTAVIRUS THREAT The cruise ship m/v Hondius is stationary off the port of Praia, Cape Verde, on May 4, 2026, with strict isolation mea
- The World Health Organization said three passengers have died after they contracted the Andes strain of the virus, which is known to be transmissible between people.
- The strain is found in parts of Argentina, where the luxury cruise ship MV Hondius set sail.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) said Sunday that one case of hantavirus infection has been laboratory confirmed, while five additional suspected cases are pending.
- A variant of hantavirus has been identified in that patient, who is of British nationality, the cruise line said.
What's still developing
- The World Health Organization said three passengers have died after they contracted the Andes strain of the virus, which is known to be transmissible between people.
- The strain is found in parts of Argentina, where the luxury cruise ship MV Hondius set sail.
- The WHO said in an update Wednesday that there were eight cases.
- No one else on the vessel was showing symptoms, the WHO said.
- Despite the perilous situation on the ship, passenger and travel blogger Kasem Hato said things have "been very calm.
- "People are taking the situation seriously but without any panic, trying to keep social distancing and wearing masks to be safe," he said in a statement.
- He said the ship’s captain and other leaders have been keeping passengers informed.
- "We are not obliged to do anything, but we’re trying to follow the recommendations we received of limiting close contact with other passengers and sanitizing our hands as much as possible," Hato said.