Hantavirus Latest: More Cases Confirmed on Cruise Ship - WHO Says ‘Not Another COVID-19’

Global health authorities are closely monitoring the hantavirus outbreak aboard the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius after more cases were confirmed among passengers and crew. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has urged the public not to panic, stressing that the outbreak is “not another COVID-19.” According to the latest news reports, two people who returned to the UK from the cruise ship have been told to self-isolate, the UK Health Security Agency told Sky News. It is now also believed that a Dutch couple who visited a landfill during a bird-watching tour in Argentina may be the source of the outbreak. According to recent reports, at least eight people linked to the voyage have developed confirmed or suspected hantavirus infections,

while three deaths have already been reported. The cruise ship, which had been stranded off the coast of Cape Verde, is now heading toward Spain’s Canary Islands as authorities coordinate medical evacuations and containment measures.Also read: Hantavirus Alert: 10 Crucial Facts Everyone Should Know

Rare Andes strain raises attention

Health officials confirmed that the outbreak involves the rare Andes strain of hantavirus - the only known hantavirus variant capable of limited human-to-human transmission. The strain is mainly found in parts of Argentina and Chile, where the cruise reportedly began its journey.

WHO says hantavirus is different from COVID-19

Despite growing public concern, WHO experts say the virus behaves very differently from COVID-19. Hantavirus is not considered highly contagious and generally requires prolonged close contact for person-to-person spread. “This is not the next COVID-19. But it is a serious infectious disease. You know, it's an infectious disease that if people get infected, and infections are uncommon, they can die. And so, again, people hearing this that are on the ship are, you know, very rightly so scared, and the general public might be scared as well. So, early information, accurate information is critical, knowing what your actual exposure might be. And most people will never be exposed to this," said epidemiologist Maria Van Kerkhove. Most hantavirus infections are usually linked to exposure to infected rodent urine, droppings, or saliva.

Symptoms can become severe quickly

Symptoms of hantavirus infection often begin with fever, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, and gastrointestinal problems. In severe cases, patients can develop hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a life-threatening respiratory illness that can rapidly progress to breathing difficulties and organ complications. Doctors say early diagnosis and supportive medical care are crucial because there is currently no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine for hantavirus. The Andes strain has historically been associated with a high fatality rate, making rapid isolation and monitoring important in outbreak settings.

Cruise ship outbreak sparks global attention

The outbreak has drawn international attention partly because cruise ships became symbols of infectious disease spread during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, infectious disease experts emphasize that hantavirus does not spread nearly as efficiently as airborne viruses like coronavirus or measles. Authorities from multiple countries, including Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland, South Africa, and the UK, are now coordinating passenger testing, isolation measures, and repatriation efforts. Some passengers have reportedly remained confined to their cabins while enhanced sanitation and medical monitoring continue onboard. While the incident has sparked global headlines, experts continue to stress that the situation remains contained and fundamentally different from the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic. Public health agencies are encouraging awareness, not alarm, as investigations into the cruise ship outbreak continue.