Three people have died and several others are ill following a suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondel, a polar cruise ship sailing between Argentina and Cape Verde, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The vessel, operated by the Netherlands-based Oceanwide Expeditions, departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, last month. The outbreak has prompted an international investigation into whether the virus, typically transmitted by rodents, spread between passengers.
At least seven cases have been identified so far. While El Mostrador reports one confirmed case and five suspected cases, CNN Chile cites the WHO as identifying two confirmed cases and five suspected ones. Both reports indicate three fatalities involving a Dutch couple and a German citizen.
Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO Director of Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Response, stated to journalists that the organization is treating the situation as a potential human-to-human transmission event.
“We know that some of the cases had very close contact with each other and, certainly, person-to-person transmission cannot be ruled out; therefore, as a precaution, this is what we are assuming,” Van Kerkhove told CNN Chile.
Vessel Status and Medical Evacuations
Nearly 150 people, including 17 Americans, remain stranded on the MV Hondius near the coast of West Africa. The ship's itinerary originally included stops at remote islands before its planned route toward the Canary Islands and Tenerife.
Expansión reports that the ship may now head directly to the Netherlands. The WHO is currently coordinating with health authorities in Spain, the Netherlands, and Cape Verde to manage the situation.
Two passengers are currently experiencing symptoms and are undergoing medical evacuation through West Africa, according to Expansion. Another individual, a British citizen, is receiving intensive care in South Africa, though Van Kerkhove noted to CNN Chile that his condition is improving.
Understanding Hantavirus Risks
While hantaviruses are primarily spread through contact with the urine, feces, or saliva of infected rodents, health officials are investigating alternative sources for this outbreak. Dr. Van Kerkhove suggested to CNN Chile that the infection could have originated from previous destinations visited by the ship or from shared cabin spaces.
According to the CDC, humans typically contract the virus by inhaling aerosolized particles from dried rodent excrement. Although rare, transmission via bites or scratches is also possible. El Mostrador notes that the virus can lead to two severe conditions: Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), which has a mortality rate of approximately 38%, and Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS).
Health authorities emphasize that the risk to the general public remains low. “This is not a virus that spreads like the flu or like COVID, it is quite different,” Van Kerkhove told CNN Chile.
Historical data shows hantaviruses have existed for centuries, with documented outbreaks in Asia and Europe. The Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (OFSP) notes that the virus is named after the Hantan River in South Korea, where thousands of soldiers fell ill during the Korean War. While most hantaviruses are animal-to-human, the OFSP specifies that person-to-person transmission has been observed with only one specific type of the virus.
