A suspected outbreak of the rare hantavirus infection on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean has resulted in the deaths of three individuals, including an elderly married couple, and has sickened at least three others, according to the World Health Organization and South Africa’s Department of Health on Sunday.
Investigation Underway
In a statement to the Associated Press, WHO confirmed that an investigation is underway and at least one case of hantavirus has been confirmed. One patient remains in intensive care in a South African hospital, and the agency is working with authorities to evacuate two other symptomatic individuals from the ship.
The Dutch company operating the cruise reported that the ship is currently stationed off the coast of Cape Verde, an island nation off West Africa. Local authorities are providing assistance but have not permitted anyone to disembark. The two sick crew members requiring urgent medical care remain onboard.
Hantavirus Transmission and Risks
Hantaviruses are a family of viruses found worldwide, primarily transmitted through contact with urine or feces of infected rodents such as rats and mice. The virus gained attention after Betsy Arakawa, wife of actor Gene Hackman, died from hantavirus infection in New Mexico last year. Hackman himself died from heart disease about a week later.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hantaviruses cause two severe syndromes: hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which affects the lungs, and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, which impacts the kidneys. Although rare, WHO notes that human-to-human transmission is possible. There is no specific treatment or cure, but early medical intervention can improve survival chances.
“WHO is aware of and supporting a public health event involving a cruise vessel sailing in the Atlantic Ocean,” the organization stated. “Detailed investigations are ongoing, including further laboratory testing and epidemiological investigations. Medical care and support are being provided to passengers and crew. Sequencing of the virus is also ongoing.”
Cruise Itinerary and Casualties
The MV Hondius, a Dutch-flagged vessel, departed Argentina approximately three weeks ago for a cruise that included stops in Antarctica, the Falkland Islands, and other locations. It was ultimately headed to Spain’s Canary Islands. The first victim, a 70-year-old man, died onboard, and his body was removed in Saint Helena, a British territory in the South Atlantic. His wife collapsed at an airport in South Africa while attempting to fly home to the Netherlands and died at a nearby hospital.
South Africa’s health department identified the patient in intensive care at a Johannesburg hospital as a British national. This individual fell ill near Ascension Island, another remote Atlantic island, after the ship departed Saint Helena, and was subsequently transferred to South Africa.
Passenger and Crew Impact
Approximately 150 passengers were aboard during the outbreak, according to South Africa’s health department. Online tour operators indicate that the Hondius, a specialist polar cruise ship, typically carries around 70 crew members. Oceanwide Expeditions, the cruise operator, confirmed that the third victim’s body remains onboard in Cape Verde, and the company’s priority is ensuring medical care for the two ill crew members.
“Local health authorities have visited the vessel to assess the condition of the two symptomatic individuals,” the company said. “They are yet to make a decision regarding the transfer of these individuals into medical care in Cape Verde.”
Public Health Response
WHO is collaborating with national authorities and the ship’s operators to conduct a comprehensive public health risk assessment and provide support for those still onboard. Meanwhile, South Africa’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases is conducting contact tracing in the Johannesburg region to identify any additional exposures to infected passengers.
