Three passengers died and three others were treated during an outbreak of hantavirus on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean, health officials said.
This rat-borne disease has been confirmed in one case and suspected in five others, said the World Health Organization (WHO) in a statement on Sunday.
The WHO said a detailed investigation on the MV Hondius, which is sailing from Argentina to Cape Verde, is ongoing, including further laboratory and epidemiological investigations. The virus is also edited.
Two of the dead have been identified as a Dutch couple, a 70-year-old man and a 69-year-old woman.
The man died when he arrived on the island of St. The woman, who also fell ill while riding, was rushed to South Africa, where she died at a Johannesburg hospital, said South African Health Department spokesperson Foster Mohale in a statement sent to Global News.
“In our opinion, there is no need for the public to panic because only two patients from the ship were within our borders. The World Health Organization is coordinating the response of many countries and all the affected islands and countries to stop the spread of the disease,” added Mohale.
“On April 27, another passenger became seriously ill and was flown to South Africa for treatment. This person is currently being treated in the intensive care unit in Johannesburg and is in a critical but stable condition. This passenger is of British nationality. A variant of hantavirus has been identified in this patient,” Oceanwide Expeditions, a Dutch company releasing the ship to the press.
“On May 2, another passenger died. The cause is still unknown. This passenger was from Germany.”
In addition, two crew members are currently on board with severe respiratory symptoms, one mild and one severe, the company said.
“Both require urgent medical attention. The workers are of British and Dutch nationality. At the moment, no other symptomatic people have been identified,” the company added.
Global News reached out to Oceanwide Expeditions for further comment, but did not receive a response.
The Ministry of Health in South Africa said the ship left Argentina three weeks ago for a trip that included visiting Antarctica, the Falkland Islands and other places. It was because it finally headed for the Canary Islands of Spain on the other side of the Atlantic.
“Oceanwide Expeditions is still dealing with a critical health situation aboard the m/v Hondius, which is currently off the coast of Cape Verde,” Oceanwide Expeditions said in a press release. “The ship is still on the coast of Cape Verde, there are 149 people representing 23 different nations.
“Passenger disembarkation, medical evacuation and health screenings require approval, and coordination, with local health authorities. Local health authorities have visited the ship and assessed the situation. Medical evacuation of the two people on board has not yet taken place. Oceanwide Expeditions is working closely with local and international authorities, including the WHO, RIVMssie and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”
Strict safety measures are in place on board, including isolation measures, hygiene protocols and medical monitoring. All passengers have been notified and are being supported, the company added.
Hantavirus is spread mainly through contact with rodents or their urine, saliva or droppings, especially when the material is disturbed and becomes airborne, posing an inhalation risk, according to the Canadian government.
People are often exposed to hantavirus around their homes, cabins or sheds, especially when cleaning confined spaces with little ventilation or checking areas where rodents have fallen.
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People can also get this virus from rats, mice and other rodents.
“For this reason, it is best to avoid close contact with rats in Canada and other countries,” the Canadian government said.
The WHO says that although it is rare, hantaviruses can be spread directly between people.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) began tracking the virus after a 1993 outbreak in the Four Corners region – the area where Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah meet.
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome became a nationally notifiable disease in 1995 and is now reported through the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System when fever is present in a patient with laboratory-confirmed evidence of hantavirus infection, according to the CDC.
Infections can develop quickly and become life-threatening. Symptoms of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome usually appear between one and eight weeks after contact with an infected mouse. As the infection progresses, patients may experience chest tightness as the lungs fill with fluid.
Another disease caused by hantavirus – hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome – usually begins within a week or two after exposure.
The death rate varies depending on which hantavirus is causing the illness. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is fatal in about 35 percent of people infected with the virus, while the fatality rate of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome varies from 1 to 15 percent of patients, according to the CDC.
There is no specific treatment or cure, but early medical care can increase the chances of survival.
The best way to avoid the virus is to minimize contact with rodents and their droppings. Use protective gloves and a bleach solution to clean rat droppings. Public health experts warn against sweeping or sweeping, which can cause virus particles to enter the air.
As of the end of 2023, 890 cases of hantavirus have been reported in the United States since surveillance began in 1993.
Since 1989, there have been 109 confirmed cases and 27 deaths in Canada due to hantavirus infection, the Canadian government said.
What the World Health Organization says
The WHO issued a statement on Sunday saying it is “aware of and supports the public health incident involving a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean.”
“To date, one case of hantavirus infection has been confirmed in the laboratory, and there are five other people who are suspected to have died. Of these six, three have died and one is in the intensive care unit in South Africa,” WHO said.
A detailed investigation is ongoing, including laboratory tests and epidemiological investigations, the organization said.
“Health care and support is being provided to passengers and crew. The sequence of the virus is also ongoing,” the statement said.
“Hantavirus infection is usually associated with environmental exposure (exposure to and feces of infected rats) Although rare, hantavirus can spread between people, and can lead to severe respiratory illness and requires careful patient monitoring, support and response.
“WHO facilitated cooperation between member countries and the ship’s crew to evacuate the two passengers with medical symptoms, as well as a comprehensive public health risk assessment and support for passengers remaining on board. WHO is very grateful for the prompt action and communication.”
WHO has notified National Focal Points in accordance with international health regulations and an update on public outbreaks will be issued.
Other known cases of hantavirus
Hantavirus made headlines last year after the deaths of Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, in February.
Arakawa died in February 2025 of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, investigators said. Hackman is believed to have died a week later of a heart attack, due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease.
The remains of Hackman, 95, and Arakawa, 65, were found at their home in Santa Fe, NM, on Feb. 26, when maintenance workers and guards arrived at the house and informed the police.
An environmental inspection of the area by state health workers found rat feces in three garages and two small guest houses, as well as traps in the area. There was no evidence of rodent activity inside the home.
According to the lengthy investigative report, a review of Arakawa’s computer showed that he was actively researching medical conditions related to COVID-19 and flu-like symptoms between Feb. 8 and the morning of Feb. 12. The search included questions about whether COVID-19 can cause dizziness or bleeding. He also ordered oxygen canisters from Amazon for “respiratory assistance.”
“These data suggest that Betsy was actively researching medical conditions related to COVID-19 and flu-like symptoms in the days leading up to her death,” the report said.
On March 25, authorities released body camera footage outside the Hackman home and police were seen arriving at the scene for the first time and talking to two maintenance workers who told authorities after they found the body lying face down through a window.
“Something is wrong. Something is wrong,” said one of the workers speaking to the police in the footage.
“My problem is the carbon monoxide problem,” said the officer after looking out the window of the house.
Authorities quickly determined that the leak was not dangerous, furthering the mystery that has gripped the public’s attention.
In a previous statement, Hackman’s daughters, Elizabeth and Leslie, and granddaughter Annie said, “He was loved and adored by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us he was always just a Father and a Grandfather. We will miss him greatly and are devastated by his loss.”
— via files from The Associated Press
