Three dead in suspected hantavirus outbreak on Antarctic cruise ship

Three people have died following a suspected outbreak of Hantavirus aboard the cruise vessel MV Hondius, according to the World Health Organization.

The ship, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, was sailing from Ushuaia to Cape Verde when the outbreak occurred. Authorities have reported one confirmed case and several suspected infections among passengers.

Two of the victims were a Dutch couple who became ill during the voyage; one died after being evacuated to Johannesburg, while the other died earlier after developing severe symptoms. A third Dutch national has also died. A British passenger remains in intensive care in Johannesburg.

Hantavirus is typically transmitted to humans through contact with infected rodents or their bodily fluids and can cause severe respiratory illness. Human-to-human transmission is rare but possible.

Health authorities are monitoring the situation closely as the vessel, carrying around 150 passengers, remains off Praia. Concerns remain that additional cases could emerge due to the virus’s incubation period, which can range from one to eight weeks.

UPDATE

Three sick passengers from the cruise ship Hondius are being brought to the Netherlands. Meanwhile, the ship is waiting for authorisation to dock in the Canary Islands.