By Nana Karikari, Senior Global Affairs Correspondent
A suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard a luxury cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean has left three passengers dead and at least three others sickened, sparking an international race to contain the rare pathogen. The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed Sunday that the “public health event” involves one confirmed and five suspected cases of the virus aboard the MV Hondius. The vessel, currently anchored outside Praia, Cape Verde, remains under strict medical observation as global authorities coordinate a response.
Tragic Chain of Events Across Two Continents
The fatalities underscore the swift and devastating nature of the pathogen. All three deceased individuals were Dutch nationals, including an elderly married couple. The 70-year-old husband developed a fever, headache, abdominal pain, and diarrhea before being declared dead on arrival in St. Helena. His 69-year-old wife later collapsed at Johannesburg’s international airport while attempting to return home and died at a nearby health facility.
“The husband’s remains were in St. Helena, an island midway between South America and Africa, awaiting repatriation to the Netherlands,” stated South African Health Ministry spokesperson Foster Mohale. The body of the third Dutch victim remains on the ship in Cape Verde, with efforts underway to repatriate the remains alongside a “closely associated” guest.
International Rescue Efforts and Medical Isolation
Survivors are currently receiving care in multiple locations across the hemisphere. A 69-year-old British national who fell ill while the cruise ship was traveling from St. Helena to Ascension Island is currently in intensive care in Johannesburg. Mohale confirmed this patient’s lab results tested positive for hantavirus. The UK Foreign Office is currently monitoring the situation to support affected nationals.
The WHO and the ship’s operator, Oceanwide Expeditions, reported that one person remains in intensive care in South Africa. Two crew members currently show symptoms and remain on the vessel. “The priority of Oceanwide Expeditions is to ensure that the two symptomatic individuals on board receive adequate and expedited medical care,” the company said in an official statement.
Standoff in Cape Verde Waters
The 107.6-meter polar cruise ship remains anchored off the African nation of Cape Verde. Local health authorities have boarded the ship to assess the symptomatic crew but have not yet authorized their disembarkation. The WHO is currently assisting the operator with a planned medical evacuation to the Netherlands for the affected crew.
“While rare, hantavirus may spread between people, and can lead to severe respiratory illness and requires careful patient monitoring, support and response,” the WHO cautioned. Microbiologists note the virus has an incubation period of one to eight weeks, raising concerns about potential new cases in the coming days.
A Three Week Journey From Antarctica
The MV Hondius departed Ushuaia, Argentina, on March 20 with approximately 150 passengers and 71 crew and guides. The ambitious itinerary included stops in mainland Antarctica, the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, Nightingale Island, Tristan, St. Helena, and Ascension. The journey was scheduled to conclude on May 4 in Cape Verde before heading toward Spain’s Canary Islands.
Understanding the Risks of Hantavirus
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that hantaviruses typically spread through contact with rodents or their urine, droppings, and saliva. The virus can manifest as Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), which affects the lungs. This condition is frequently fatal, killing more than a third of patients in the United States. It can also cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, a group of similar illnesses that affects the kidneys.
Symptoms include fever, breathing difficulty, fatigue, and nausea. This outbreak follows the death of Betsy Arakawa, wife of legendary Hollywood actor Gene Hackman, who died of HPS in New Mexico in February 2025. Hackman, 95, died from heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease shortly after.
Global Surveillance and Safety Protocols
The World Health Organization is currently providing medical care and support to those on board while conducting laboratory testing and epidemiological investigations. As sequencing of the virus continues, the international maritime community remains on high alert regarding hygiene protocols on expedition vessels. The outcome of the current evacuation efforts in Cape Verde will likely determine the timeline for the remaining passengers to return home safely.
