WHO suspects rare human-to-human hantavirus transmission on cruise ship as three die

Key facts

• Three people have died in the outbreak, including a Dutch woman with confirmed hantavirus and her husband (unconfirmed) and a German national (unconfirmed).
• Seven cases identified: two confirmed (Dutch woman, 69-year-old UK national) and five suspected.
• Two crew members—one British, one Dutch—to be medically evacuated to the Netherlands with acute respiratory symptoms.
• A British passenger evacuated to Johannesburg on 27 April is improving in intensive care.
• 149 people from 23 countries remain aboard under strict precautions; 22 other British nationals are on the ship.
• WHO official Dr Maria Van Kerkhove said human-to-human transmission may be occurring among close contacts.
• MV Hondius set sail from Argentina about a month ago and is now anchored near Cape Verde.

Outbreak unfolds on Atlantic voyage

The World Health Organization has raised the possibility of rare human-to-human transmission of hantavirus aboard the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius, where three passengers have died and seven cases have been identified. The vessel, which departed Argentina roughly a month ago, is currently anchored off Cape Verde on Africa’s west coast, with 149 people from 23 countries still on board under strict quarantine measures. The WHO’s Dr Maria Van Kerkhove stated that the virus, typically spread through rodent droppings, may have passed among “really close contacts” on the ship. She stressed that the overall risk to the public remains low, but the situation marks an unusual departure from the disease’s normal transmission pattern.

Urgent medical evacuations planned

Two crew members—one British and one Dutch—are being prepared for urgent medical evacuation to the Netherlands after developing acute respiratory symptoms, the ship’s operator. Dutch authorities are overseeing the operation, and the WHO described their evacuation as the “highest priority” to ensure they receive necessary care. A British passenger with hantavirus symptoms was already evacuated on 27 April to Johannesburg, South Africa, where he remains in intensive care but is reported to be improving. Another suspected case is asymptomatic and doing well, Van Kerkhove added.

Confirmed cases and fatalities

illnesses, two have been confirmed as hantavirus: a Dutch woman who died and a 69-year-old UK national who was evacuated to South Africa. The woman’s husband also died but is not a confirmed case, nor is a German national who passed away on 2 May. The WHO’s latest update indicates that testing is ongoing for other passengers and crew displaying symptoms. Medical teams from Cape Verde, supported by the WHO, have boarded the ship to assist with suspected cases. Images from the scene show workers in hazmat suits approaching the vessel in a smaller boat.

International response and passenger situation

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the government is “putting plans in place” for the onward travel of British nationals stuck on the ship. In a statement on X, he expressed solidarity with those affected and noted close work with international partners. There are 19 British passengers and four British crew members aboard, according to officials. Oceanwide Expeditions stated that aside from the crew member awaiting evacuation, 22 other British nationals remain on the ship. All passengers have been asked to stay in their cabins while disinfection and other public health measures are carried out, Van Kerkhove said, adding that no additional symptomatic people are currently on board.

Background on hantavirus and transmission concerns

Hantavirus is primarily a rodent-borne disease, and human-to-human spread is exceedingly rare. The WHO suspects that the first person to fall ill may have contracted the virus before boarding the ship, potentially introducing it to the closed environment of the cruise. The agency’s investigation focuses on whether close contact among passengers and crew facilitated the subsequent cases. Van Kerkhove noted that as of the latest update, seven individuals among the 147 passengers and crew have been reported ill. The situation is being closely monitored, with testing continuing for those who have shown symptoms.

What comes next

The immediate priority is the safe evacuation of the two symptomatic crew members to the Netherlands for advanced medical care. Meanwhile, the WHO and local health teams are conducting further testing and surveillance on the ship to determine if any additional cases emerge. The vessel remains anchored off Cape Verde, and the timeline for passengers to disembark or continue their journey remains unclear. The outbreak has raised questions about the adequacy of health protocols on long-haul cruises and the potential for rare diseases to spread in confined settings. Oceanwide Expeditions has not commented on future sailings or compensation for affected passengers.

The bottom line

• Three people have died in a hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius, with seven cases identified including two confirmed.
• WHO suspects rare human-to-human transmission among close contacts on the ship, though the public risk is low.
• Two crew members (British and Dutch) are being urgently evacuated to the Netherlands; a British passenger is improving in South Africa.
• 149 people from 23 countries remain under quarantine on the ship off Cape Verde, with 22 other British nationals aboard.
• The first infected person may have contracted the virus before boarding, suggesting the outbreak originated outside the ship.
• International authorities are coordinating medical evacuations and monitoring for new cases.