The MV Hondius cruise ship, which departed Tierra del Fuego on March 20 with about 150 passengers bound for the Canary Islands, according to Reuters agency, is currently off the coast of Cape Verde. Three passengers have died from a possible hantavirus outbreak, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The shipping company, Oceanwide Expeditions, confirmed this Monday morning that local authorities “have not yet granted authorization to disembark passengers who require medical attention nor to assist in conducting medical tests.” In addition to the three deceased, there is one British national admitted “in critical condition” in the intensive care unit in Johannesburg and two crew members “who need urgent medical attention,” according to a statement from the shipping company, which does not clarify at the moment what is happening with the rest of the passengers.
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Cape Verdean health workers “have indeed visited the ship to assess the condition of the two people showing symptoms.” According to the company, “no decision has been made regarding the transfer of these people to a medical center in Cape Verde.” Oceanwide Expeditions also indicates that the Netherlands, the company’s country of origin, is trying to organize the return of the two symptomatic people on board the ship.
The WHO said this Monday that “the risk to the general public is low. There is no need to panic or impose travel restrictions,” the organization states in a communiqué.
The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the death of two Dutch citizens and says it has not yet received “requests for consular assistance from Dutch passengers on board.” As it is a ship flying its flag, the Netherlands coordinates consular assistance for passengers, “including those who do not have Dutch nationality,” their spokespeople explain. Likewise, the provision of individual consular services and communication regarding this “are the responsibility of each country for its own citizens,” they conclude.
The WHO has confirmed hantavirus infection in at least one of the cases and there are five other suspected cases. “Detailed investigations are underway, including additional laboratory tests and epidemiological investigations. Medical care and support are being provided to passengers and crew. Virus sequencing is also ongoing,” the WHO indicated in a message on the social network X (formerly Twitter).
.@WHO is working closely with Member States and a ship’s operators in response to suspected cases of hantavirus detected onboard a cruise liner.
WHO is facilitating medical evacuation of two symptomatic passengers, conducting a full risk assessment, and supporting affected… https://t.co/nNzEmEdxbw
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) May 3, 2026
With flu-like symptoms, hantavirus is usually transmitted through contact with the saliva, feces, and urine of infected mice. It can also be transmitted by the bite or scratch of a rodent, although this is rare. According to the Argentine newspaper La Nación, in Argentina, during 2025, 22 deaths from hantavirus were confirmed and a national health alert was declared weeks ago.
Hantaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause severe illness and even death. These microorganisms can cause diseases such as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, both potentially fatal. According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 38% of people who develop respiratory symptoms may die from the disease.
There is no targeted treatment for hantavirus infection. Therapeutic management focuses on rest, hydration, and medications to relieve symptoms. Those who develop hantavirus pulmonary syndrome may experience respiratory problems and require assisted ventilation, such as intubation. Patients with hemorrhagic syndrome and kidney involvement may require dialysis to remove toxins from the blood.
