A hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius has killed three people and left at least three others ill in the Atlantic Ocean, the World Health Organization confirmed Sunday.
“To date, one case of hantavirus infection has been laboratory confirmed, and there are five additional suspected cases,” the WHO said. “Of the six affected individuals, three have died and one is currently in intensive care in South Africa.”
WHO is aware of and supporting a public health event involving a cruise vessel sailing in the Atlantic Ocean. To date, one case of hantavirus infection has been laboratory confirmed, and there are five additional suspected cases. Of the six affected individuals, three have died… pic.twitter.com/SqMAAZzoID
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) May 3, 2026
South Africa’s Department of Health identified two of the victims as a Dutch couple. The 70-year-old man died aboard the ship and his body was removed at Saint Helena, a British territory in the South Atlantic. His 69-year-old wife collapsed at a South African airport and died at a Johannesburg hospital.
A 69-year-old British national fell ill near Ascension Island, another remote stop on the route, and was airlifted to Johannesburg, where South African health officials confirmed a positive hantavirus test.
The Hondius, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, departed Ushuaia, Argentina, on March 20 on a voyage through Antarctica, the Falkland Islands, Saint Helena, and Ascension Island. MarineTraffic vessel-tracking data showed it docked at Praia, the Cape Verdean capital, on Sunday night.
Hantavirus spreads through contact with infected rodent urine, droppings, or saliva. There is no specific treatment or cure, though early medical care improves survival odds. “While rare, hantavirus may spread between people,” the WHO said.
Three deaths. Multiple suspected cases on a cruise ship.
WHO confirms this is a hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius sailing from Argentina to Cape Verde.Right now, we do not know which hantavirus species is involved.
We only know it is a hantavirus.Why that matters:… pic.twitter.com/bpmkr2A1Lj
— Roger Seheult, MD (@RogerSeheult) May 3, 2026
About 150 tourists were aboard, South Africa’s Department of Health said. The WHO said it is coordinating the medical evacuation of two additional symptomatic passengers still on the vessel.
South Africa’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases is conducting contact tracing in the Johannesburg area. Investigators have not determined where on the 45-day route passengers were exposed, and viral sequencing is ongoing, the WHO said.
