- At least three people have died after a suspected hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship in the Atlantic.
- A total of six people are affected, one is in intensive care in South Africa.
- The background to the outbreak and the exact connections between the cases are still unclear.
At least three people are dead after a suspected hantavirus infectionBreakout on a cruise ship died in the Atlantic. Another person is in intensive care in a South African hospital. The World Health Organization (WHO) announced this on Sunday. According to current knowledge, a total of six people are infected.
The outbreak occurred on board the ship MV Hondius, which was traveling from Ushuaia in Argentina to Cape Verde. The cruise ship is operated by the tour operator Oceanwide Expeditions. It has space for around 170 passengers. There are also around 70 crew members.
What do we know about the outbreak?
According to the WHO, one of the three people who died tested positive for the hantavirus. The five other known infected people are currently only suspected cases. Hantavirus infections are usually related to environmental factors, such as contact with Urine or feces of infected rodents or inhaling contaminated dust. They can lead to serious respiratory illnesses. In rare cases, the viruses can also spread from person to person (see box).
Different Hantavirus species
It is unclear whether, when and how those affected became infected. According to the itinerary on its website, the MV Hondius departed Ushuaia, Argentina, on March 20 and was scheduled to end its journey in Cape Verde on May 4. As the AFP news agency writes, citing several shipping tracking portals, the ship was in front of the port of Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, on Sunday.
Are the cases on the MV Hondius related?
All that is known so far is that a 70-year-old passenger initially showed symptoms and died on board. His body is currently on the British island of St. Helena in the South Atlantic, according to the AFP. His 69-year-old wife also fell ill, was evacuated to South Africa and died in a hospital in Johannesburg.
It is not confirmed what caused the passengers on the cruise ship to become ill.
What symptoms indicate a hantavirus infection?
Hantaviruses can cause various diseases. About the so-called Hantavirus (heart) lung syndrome, or HCPS for short. This often ends fatally. Even with adequate, i.e. quickly administered and correct therapy, the mortality rate is 25 to 40 percent.
If HCPS is diagnosed, rapid administration of oxygen is important. It can prevent a lack of oxygen in the arterial blood (hypoxemia), which would require intubation or mechanical ventilation. Anyone who is treated in this way and survives the first 24 hours has a good chance of getting through the disease without any consequences.
Hantaviruses can also cause so-called hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, or HFRS for short. Only recently, the military intelligence service of Ukraine (HUR) reported that this disease, also known as “mouse fever”. is rampant among Russian soldiers in Ukraine. Hantaviruses occur worldwide. Also the wife of acting legend Gene Hackman, Betsy Arakawa, died in 2025 as a result of a hantavirus infection. Hackman, who died a week later, was not infected. He succumbed to a combination of cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s.
Fee Anabelle Riebeling (fee) has been working for 20 minutes since 2014. She is deputy. Head of Knowledge, History & Digital and Head of the Fact Check & Verification expert committee.
