New Delhi: Hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship triggered health concerns after three people reportedly died. The World Health Organisation
(WHO) confirmed that two cases of the hantavirus were reported, and five people who were on the luxury cruise ship were also under suspicion.
The officials confirmed that a Dutch couple, a German national, and a British national were evacuated from the vessel and are now being treated in South Africa.
What is Hantavirus?
Hantavirus is a viral infection just like COVID-19, which spreads through contact with saliva, urine, and droppings of infected rodents. It can cause serious and sometimes fatal conditions such as Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) and Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS), both of which lead to severe health complications, including breathing difficulties and organ damage.
These viruses are found worldwide, with cases reported across regions of Europe, Africa, and Asia. The first case was reported on April 1, 2026, in southern Argentina, when a 70-year-old man was going through fever, headache, and mild diarrhoea, the WHO reported.
After 11 days, the old man died after experiencing respiratory distress while the ship was in the British island territories. The cruise company couldn’t identify the cause of the death.
The cruise didn’t stop as it continued the journey for two weeks. It stopped near Tristan da Cunha to remove the Dutchman’s body on April 24 as his wife took him to South Africa, but after that, she also exhibited the same symptoms and fell ill during the flight on April 25.
The third victim, a German woman, died on the ship, as she had also been ill for four days and had signs of pneumonia. The woman’s body is still on the ship. The British national also fell ill, as he had a high fever, signs of pneumonia, and shortness of breath.
WHO initiated the investigation on May 3 and confirmed the outbreak of Hantavirus on the ship. WHO said that the global risk is low, as hantavirus is not easily spread between people? It is now investigating how the virus spread to the people who were on board the ship.
