Three passengers have died from hantavirus on the MV Hondius cruise ship during its voyage from Argentina to Cape Verde, with one British national currently in intensive care.
Details of the Fatalities
The World Health Organization confirmed the deaths on May 4, 2026, identifying the victims as Dutch nationals. Among them was a couple—a 70-year-old man and a 69-year-old woman—who fell ill during the journey. The man passed away upon arrival at St. Helena island, while the woman was airlifted to Johannesburg, South Africa, for treatment but succumbed there. The body of the third Dutch passenger remains aboard the vessel.
British Passenger in Intensive Care
A 69-year-old British passenger, who became ill en route, received initial care at Ascension Island before evacuation to a South African hospital. A South African Department of Health representative noted the patient’s ongoing intensive care treatment in Johannesburg.
About Hantavirus
Hantavirus, primarily carried by wild rodents like rats and mice, spreads to humans through contact with infected urine, droppings, saliva, bites, or scratches. It can cause two severe conditions: Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), with symptoms including fatigue, fever, muscle aches, headaches, dizziness, and abdominal problems; or Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS), which impacts the kidneys, leading to low blood pressure, internal bleeding, and potential kidney failure.
Ship Status and Additional Cases
Oceanwide Expeditions, the cruise operator, reports two crew members are also ill and require medical attention. The WHO has identified five additional suspected cases and one laboratory-confirmed case. The MV Hondius departed on March 20, 2026, and is now approaching Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, following the outbreak reported on May 3, 2026.
