5 Countries On Alert, WHO Warns Of More Cases, Cruise Ships Monitored: Top Updates On Hantavirus

The World Health Organization (WHO) has cautioned that additional cases linked to the hantavirus outbreak aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius may surface in the coming weeks, even as it continues to assess the overall global public health risk as low.
Addressing a media briefing, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the outbreak involves the Andes virus, a rare hantavirus strain capable of limited human-to-human transmission through close contact.

“Given the incubation period of the Andes virus, which can extend up to six weeks, more cases could still be reported,” he said.
Outbreak Linked to Cruise Ship Journey

The outbreak was detected aboard the Dutch-flagged cruise vessel MV Hondius, which was travelling from Argentina to Cabo

Verde across the Atlantic Ocean.

According to WHO, eight cases linked to the outbreak have been identified so far, including three deaths. Of these, five cases have been laboratory confirmed, while three remain suspected infections.

The affected passengers have been linked to multiple countries, including Argentina, South Africa, Switzerland, the Netherlands and St Helena.

What Is The Andes Virus?

Health experts said hantaviruses are usually transmitted through contact with infected rodents or exposure to their urine, saliva or droppings. However, the Andes virus, primarily found in Latin America, is the only known hantavirus strain capable of spreading between humans under limited conditions.

WHO said previous outbreaks showed that transmission typically occurs during close and prolonged contact, especially among family members, intimate partners and caregivers.

“That appears to be the case in the current situation as well,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted.

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Timeline Of The Cases

WHO said the first passenger reportedly developed symptoms on April 6 and died aboard the ship on April 11. Because the symptoms resembled other respiratory illnesses, hantavirus infection was not initially suspected.

His wife later fell ill after disembarking in St Helena and died in Johannesburg on April 25 after her condition deteriorated during a flight.

A third passenger died on May 2, while another infected patient remains in intensive care in South Africa.

Three infected passengers were medically evacuated to the Netherlands for treatment, with two currently reported to be in stable condition. Another passenger who disembarked in St Helena later tested positive in Zurich, Switzerland.

Countries On Alert As Hantavirus Monitoring Expands

Health authorities across several countries are monitoring passengers linked to the MV Hondius outbreak, while some infected individuals continue receiving treatment in hospitals.

The Netherlands: Three passengers linked to the outbreak have been transferred to the Netherlands for treatment, according to cruise operator Oceanwide Expeditions. They include a British passenger, a 65-year-old German national and a 41-year-old Dutch crew member. Two are reported to be in serious condition, while the third individual, though asymptomatic, is also under medical observation.
Dutch authorities are additionally investigating a possible secondary exposure case involving a KLM airline crew member in Amsterdam. Local media reports said she had contact with a 69-year-old Dutch woman who later died in South Africa after travelling on the ship. Doctors at Amsterdam University Hospital are awaiting her test results.

South Africa: A British passenger who became ill aboard the vessel on April 27 remains in intensive care at a private hospital in Johannesburg. WHO has identified him as the second confirmed hantavirus patient and said his condition is gradually improving.

Switzerland: WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said a passenger who left the ship and travelled to Switzerland later tested positive for hantavirus and is currently being treated in Zurich.

United Kingdom: The UK Health Security Agency said two British nationals who disembarked at St Helena on April 24 are self-isolating at home following possible exposure to the virus. Authorities are also tracking several other British passengers connected to the voyage, including one person who has not yet returned to the UK.

United States: Health officials in the United States are monitoring three individuals who travelled back home after leaving the ship. Authorities in Georgia and Arizona said those under observation have not developed symptoms so far. Reports also indicated that other American passengers returned to Texas and Virginia.

Singapore: Singapore’s Communicable Diseases Agency said two men in their 60s are currently isolating and undergoing tests for hantavirus infection. While one has developed mild cold-like symptoms, the other has not shown any signs of illness.

WHO Rules Out Covid-Like Spread

The World Health Organization said it expects additional cases to emerge due to the virus’s incubation period, but stressed there is no indication of a large-scale outbreak similar to Covid-19.

Officials believe the first infections may have occurred before passengers boarded the cruise ship. WHO said the first two cases had travelled through Argentina, Chile and Uruguay on a bird-watching trip that included areas inhabited by rodents known to carry the virus.

WHO added that international contact tracing efforts are underway to monitor possible exposures and limit further spread. The MV Hondius is expected to arrive in Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands on Sunday.

Containment Measures Underway

WHO said strict containment and surveillance measures have been introduced onboard the vessel, including cabin isolation, deep disinfection, symptom monitoring and medical screening of passengers and crew.

Specialists from WHO, the Netherlands and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control remain onboard as the ship heads towards the Canary Islands after Spain agreed to receive the vessel.

‘Viruses Do Not Care About Politics’: WHO Chief

Emphasising the need for global cooperation, Tedros said international coordination under the International Health Regulations was functioning effectively.

“We will continue sharing what we know because the world must remain safe. Any gap in coverage gives the virus an opportunity to spread,” he said.

“Viruses do not care about politics. Solidarity remains our strongest immunity.”