A suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean has left three passengers dead and several others ill, according to the World Health Organization.
The ship, the MV Hondius, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, is currently anchored off the coast of Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, where authorities have barred passengers from disembarking as a precaution.
A total of 149 people remain on board, including 17 Americans.
Health officials say at least six people have been affected, with one confirmed case of hantavirus and five additional suspected cases. One patient, a British national, is in critical condition at a hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa. Two crew members — one British and one Dutch — are also experiencing acute respiratory symptoms and require urgent care.
The outbreak has prompted a coordinated response from international health agencies.
“The risk to the wider public remains low. There is no need for panic or travel restrictions,” said Hans Kluge, the WHO’s regional director for Europe, per NBC News.
The cruise began in Ushuaia, Argentina, several weeks ago and included stops in Antarctica and Saint Helena before arriving near Cape Verde. Authorities said the vessel was denied permission to dock in Praia to protect public health, though local medical teams have boarded the ship to assess the ill.
Among the fatalities was a 70-year-old Dutch man who became sick on board and died on April 11. His wife, 69, later collapsed at an airport in South Africa while attempting to return home and died at a hospital. A third victim, a German national, died on the ship on May 2. Officials said it has not been confirmed whether all deaths are directly linked to the suspected outbreak.
Passengers on board described growing concern as the situation unfolded.
“What’s happening right now is very real for all of us here. We’re not just a story. We’re not just headlines,” said travel vlogger Jake Rosmarin in a video posted online. “We’re people, people with families, with lives, with people waiting for us at home. There’s a lot of uncertainty, and that’s the hardest part.”
Rosmarin added, “Oceanwide Expeditions and the entire crew onboard have been handling this situation to the best of their ability, and I’m very grateful for their efforts throughout.”
Hantavirus is a rare but potentially deadly disease that can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a severe respiratory illness. It is most commonly spread through contact with infected rodent droppings, urine, or saliva. Human-to-human transmission is rare and has been primarily associated with a strain found in parts of South America.
Last year, Betsy Arakawa, the wife of actor Gene Hackman, died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome at the couple’s home in New Mexico, The Dallas Express reported.
There is no cure for hantavirus infection, beyond treatment of symptoms, according to health guidance cited by officials. Severe cases may require intensive medical support.
Investigators are still working to determine how the infections occurred.
“Detailed investigations are ongoing, including further laboratory testing, and epidemiological investigations,” the WHO said.
Health authorities in Cape Verde and international partners continue to monitor the situation, while discussions are underway about possible medical evacuations for those requiring additional care. The timeline for when the ship may be allowed to dock remains unclear.
