Hantavirus outbreak on Atlantic cruise:  A suspected outbreak of hantavirus aboard the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius has resulted in three deaths and multiple suspected infections, prompting authorities to quarantine the vessel near Cape Verde. The situation was confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and South African health officials on Sunday.

The ship is currently docked off Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, where passengers and crew are not being allowed to disembark as a precautionary measure to prevent further spread.

Six Suspected Cases, One Lab Confirmation

According to the WHO, at least six persons onboard have shown symptoms consistent with hantavirus infection. So far, one case has been laboratory confirmed. Among the affected, one patient has been admitted to an intensive care unit in South Africa, while two others are being prepared for medical evacuation from the ship.

Health authorities have clarified that it is still unclear whether all symptomatic individuals are infected with hantavirus. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause and source of the outbreak.

Journey Spanning Continents Raises Questions

The MV Hondius began its voyage on March 20 from Ushuaia in Argentina, traveling through Antarctic waters before heading across the Atlantic toward Europe. The final destination was planned to be the Canary Islands in Spain.

Onboard are 170 passengers and 71 crew members, including a doctor. The first fatality was a 70-year-old man who died during the voyage. His body was later disembarked at Saint Helena in the South Atlantic.

Tragically, his wife, who traveled with him, fell ill after reaching South Africa. She collapsed at the airport and later died in hospital. The third victim remains onboard the ship, according to cruise operator Oceanwide Expeditions.

Source of Infection Remains Unknown

One of the most pressing concerns for investigators is identifying how the virus entered the ship. The departure region in Argentina has not reported any recent hantavirus cases and the ship did not dock in areas known for such infections.

Experts suspect that the infection may have originated onboard, possibly through rodent exposure. However, no definitive source has been confirmed so far.

How Hantavirus Spreads

According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hantavirus is primarily transmitted to humans through contact with infected rodents such as rats or squirrels. The virus does not typically affect rodents but can be deadly for humans.

Transmission can occur in three main ways:

Direct bites from infected rodents (rare)

Contact with rodent urine, droppings or saliva followed by touching the face

Consuming contaminated food or water

The virus can lead to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), a severe respiratory illness.

High Fatality Rate, No Specific Treatment

First identified in 1993 in the United States, hantavirus has since caused sporadic outbreaks. The disease has a mortality rate of approximately 38%, making it significantly more lethal than many respiratory viruses.

Several strains exist, including the highly dangerous Araraquara strain (with a fatality rate of up to 54%) and Sin Nombre virus (around 40%). Another strain, Hantaan virus, has a lower mortality rate ranging between 5–10%.

There is currently no specific antiviral treatment or approved vaccine for hantavirus. Medical care focuses on managing symptoms, often requiring oxygen therapy or ventilator support in severe cases. Early detection remains critical, as patients can deteriorate rapidly within a week.

The virus gained renewed attention last year following the death of Betsy Arakawa, wife of Hollywood actor Gene Hackman, in Santa Fe. Investigators found signs of rodent presence near their home, linking the case to hantavirus exposure.

Between 1993 and 2023, the United States reported only 890 cases, with most occurring in New Mexico, underscoring the rarity but severity of the disease.