Hantavirus Outbreak Strikes Cruise Ship MV Hondius, Killing Three

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - A suspected hantavirus outbreak was reportedly strikes the cruise ship MV Hondius on Sunday, May 3, 2026, raised serious concerns among global health authorities.

This specialized polar cruise ship, operated by the Dutch tour company Oceanwide Expeditions, typically carries around 150 tourists and 70 crew members on its voyages.

The tragedy happened in the Atlantic Ocean while the MV Hondius was on a long voyage from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Cape Verde, with stops in Antarctica, the Falkland Islands, and other islands.

On May 3, 2026, the ship reportedly anchored near the port of Praia, the capital of Cape Verde.

The hantavirus outbreak has killed three people and sickened three others, with one case confirmed through laboratory testing.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the South African Department of Health immediately intervened to conduct a thorough investigation.

WHO is aware of and supporting a public health event involving a cruise vessel sailing in the Atlantic Ocean. To date, one case of hantavirus infection has been laboratory confirmed, and there are five additional suspected cases. Of the six affected individuals, three have died… pic.twitter.com/SqMAAZzoID

— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) May 3, 2026

Two of the fatalities were a Dutch couple, aged 70 and 69, respectively.

The 70-year-old man died on board the ship, and his body was removed to Saint Helena Island, a British territory in the South Atlantic.

His 69-year-old wife also fell ill on board and was evacuated to South Africa, where she died at a hospital in Kempton Park, Johannesburg.

The identity and nationality of the third victim have not been widely confirmed, but one source stated that the third victim was still on board.

In addition to the fatalities, a 69-year-old British man who fell ill on board was evacuated to a private health facility in Johannesburg, South Africa, and tested positive for hantavirus.

The World Health Organization (WHO) also facilitated coordination between member states and the ship's operator to evacuate two other passengers who exhibited similar symptoms.

In response to this outbreak, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the South African Department of Health immediately launched a comprehensive investigation.

The WHO told the BBC that "detailed investigations" into suspected hantavirus cases "are ongoing, including further laboratory testing".

A detailed investigation is underway, including further laboratory testing and epidemiological investigations to identify the source of infection and the pattern of virus spread.

At least one case of hantavirus has been confirmed through laboratory testing, while five other cases are still under suspicion and investigation.

Hantavirus is a virus that is generally spread through contact with infected rodents or their urine and feces.

There are an estimated 150,000 cases of HFRS worldwide each year, primarily in Europe and Asia, according to a report from the National Institutes of Health.

More than half of these cases typically occur in China.

This infection can cause two serious syndromes: Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), which affects the lungs, and Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS), which affects the kidneys.

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) is a severe illness with initial symptoms including fatigue, fever, and muscle aches, which may also be accompanied by headache, dizziness, chills, and gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

These symptoms typically appear one to eight weeks after exposure to the virus.

After four to ten days, the patient's condition can worsen, with coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness due to fluid filling the lung cavities. Hantavirus is a rare disease but has a high mortality rate, reaching approximately 38-42 percent.

Currently, there is no specific treatment or cure for hantavirus infection.

Available treatment is supportive therapy, such as maintaining fluid balance, providing oxygen, and managing symptoms as the patient progresses.