A suspected outbreak of hantavirus on the MV Hondius cruise ship has killed three people and sickened at least three others. The incident occurred on May 3, 2026, in the Atlantic Ocean near Cape Verde. This marks the first known hantavirus outbreak associated with cruise ships.
Key facts:
- The MV Hondius departed from Argentina three weeks before the outbreak.
- One case of hantavirus infection is laboratory confirmed.
- Three individuals have died, including an elderly couple from the Netherlands.
- One patient remains in intensive care in a South African hospital.
- Around 150 passengers were onboard during the outbreak.
- The ship is currently anchored near Cape Verde; disembarkation has been prohibited.
The first victim was a 70-year-old man who died on board. His wife collapsed at an airport in South Africa and later died in a hospital. Two crew members are also requiring urgent medical care.
Hantaviruses are primarily spread through contact with infected rodent urine or feces. The World Health Organization stated it is aware of and supporting a public health event involving the cruise vessel. Nicole M. Iovine, MD, PhD, noted that isolated cases may have gone unrecognized in the past.
Officials have not confirmed which strain of hantavirus caused this outbreak. It remains unclear how the six patients contracted the virus. Public health risk assessments will likely focus on cruise ship sanitation practices moving forward.
