Explained: MV Hondius Hantavirus Outbreak That Killed Three

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A deadly cluster of hantavirus cases aboard a Dutch luxury cruise ship has triggered a coordinated international health response, with the WHO, UK, South Africa and Switzerland all engaged — but global risk remains low

By TRH World Desk

New Delhi, May 7, 2026 — A rare and alarming outbreak of hantavirus linked to the luxury cruise ship MV Hondius has put global health authorities on alert, after the virus claimed three lives and infected multiple passengers who had travelled through South America. As of May 7, 2026, the outbreak spans at least five countries, with a new case confirmed in Switzerland on Wednesday.

On May 2, 2026, the World Health Organization received notification from the United Kingdom regarding a cluster of severe acute respiratory illness — including two deaths and one critically ill passenger — aboard a Dutch-flagged cruise ship carrying 147 passengers and crew.

The index case died on April 11, 2026, while on board. The ship had departed Ushuaia, Argentina, on March 20, 2026, heading for the Canary Islands via Cabo Verde.

In a Wednesday update, the WHO confirmed eight cases — three laboratory-confirmed and five suspected — with three deaths reported. The Andes strain of hantavirus, which is known to be transmissible between people and is found in parts of Argentina, has been identified. A new case was also confirmed in Switzerland, where a man who had travelled on the Hondius was being treated for hantavirus in Zurich.

Three passengers were medically evacuated from the ship on Wednesday. WHO epidemiologist Maria Van Kerkhove told a news conference that hantavirus, unlike influenza or Covid-19, is only transmissible from person to person through close contact, such as sharing a bed or food.

WHO currently assesses the risk to the global population from this event as low.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed that one confirmed case is a British national receiving treatment in Johannesburg, South Africa. “Although hantavirus is a serious infection, the risk to the wider UK population is very low,” the UKHSA stated, adding that no additional precautions are necessary for the general public.

Authorities from Cabo Verde, the Netherlands, Spain, South Africa and the United Kingdom have initiated a coordinated international response, including case investigation, isolation, clinical management, medical evacuation and laboratory testing.

FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About Hantavirus

What is hantavirus?

Hantavirus is a group of viruses carried by rodents such as mice and rats, transmitted by their droppings and urine. They are present throughout the world and can cause diseases ranging from mild, flu-like illness to severe respiratory illness.

How do you catch hantavirus?

People usually become infected by breathing in air contaminated with virus particles from rodent urine, droppings, or saliva. The virus can also enter the body through cuts, the eyes, or, very rarely, a rodent bite.

Can it spread person to person?

Most hantaviruses do not spread between humans, although person-to-person transmission has occurred with the Andes virus strain in rare cases, and only through very close and prolonged contact.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms include fever, extreme fatigue, muscle aches, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and shortness of breath. In some cases, people develop severe breathing difficulties requiring hospital care. Symptoms usually appear between one and four weeks after exposure, but can occur up to eight weeks later.

Is there a treatment or vaccine?

There is currently no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for hantavirus. Treatment is supportive and based on symptoms, such as hospital care and respiratory support.

Should I be worried if I haven’t been on this ship?

Hantavirus is not spread through everyday social contact like walking in public spaces, shops, workplaces, or schools. No additional precautions are necessary for the public.

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