Hantavirus Cases Rise on MV Hondius Cruise Ship

Concerns continue to grow after additional hantavirus cases were confirmed aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship.

The vessel, traveling from Argentina toward Cabo Verde, had already reported eight hantavirus infections, including three deaths involving two Dutch passengers and one German traveler.

Evacuation and Quarantine Measures

Following the outbreak, the World Health Organization coordinated with Spanish authorities after Cabo Verde denied the ship permission to dock.

The ship eventually anchored near Tenerife, where passengers were evacuated and sent back to their respective countries under health supervision.

French Health Minister Stephanie Rist confirmed that one French passenger tested positive shortly after evacuation, while the remaining passengers tested negative.

U.S. officials also stated that two American passengers were placed under medical observation, with one returning a mildly positive test result.

What Is Hantavirus?

Hantavirus is typically transmitted through exposure to infected rodents or contaminated airborne particles from rodent waste.

Symptoms may include fever, muscle pain, fatigue, and severe respiratory complications. In serious cases, the virus can cause kidney failure or internal bleeding.

According to WHO, the strain detected aboard the ship is the “Andes” virus, a rare hantavirus strain capable of limited human-to-human transmission through prolonged close contact.

WHO Calls Situation Serious

Health officials warn that the incubation period may last up to six weeks, meaning passengers could require extended monitoring.

While the WHO described the incident as serious, it emphasized that the broader public health risk remains low at this stage.