Three people have died and three others have fallen ill following a suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard a Netherlands-based cruise ship, authorities and media reports confirmed on Sunday.
The vessel, identified as the MV Hondius, departed from Argentina approximately three weeks ago with around 150 passengers. The ship travelled to Antarctica and other destinations before making its way toward Cape Verde, where it is currently located offshore.
A spokesperson for the Dutch Foreign Ministry confirmed that two Dutch nationals are among the deceased but did not release further details.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) said one of the infected passengers, reportedly a British national, is in intensive care in Johannesburg.
Cruise operator Oceanwide Expeditions stated that authorities in Cape Verde had not yet granted permission for passengers requiring urgent medical care to disembark.
Dutch officials are currently working to repatriate two symptomatic passengers, as well as the body of one deceased individual. The WHO said it is coordinating international efforts to manage the outbreak and assist those on board.
“WHO is facilitating coordination between member states and the ship’s operators for the medical evacuation of two symptomatic passengers, as well as conducting a full public health risk assessment and providing support to the remaining passengers,” the agency said.
Health experts say hantavirus is a rodent-borne disease that can lead to severe respiratory illness. It is typically transmitted through airborne particles from rodent urine or droppings, although human-to-human transmission, while rare, can occur.
The illness usually begins with flu-like symptoms and may progress to heart and lung failure. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 40% of hantavirus cases can be fatal.
There is currently no specific treatment for the virus, with care focused on managing symptoms, including the use of ventilators in severe cases.
The WHO confirmed that laboratory tests have identified hantavirus in one of the six affected individuals, with at least five additional suspected cases under investigation. Further testing and genetic sequencing are ongoing to better understand the strain involved.