Hantavirus Outbreak Forces Evacuations From Luxury Cruise Ship
A deadly hantavirus outbreak aboard the luxury expedition ship MV Hondius has triggered emergency evacuations and international concern as the vessel heads toward Spain after being stranded off the coast of Cape Verde.
The ship, carrying nearly 150 people, departed for Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands on Wednesday after Cape Verde refused to allow passengers to disembark because of the outbreak. Authorities say the vessel is expected to arrive within several days.
At least three people — including a Dutch couple and a German passenger — have died in connection with the outbreak. Health officials say eight people are suspected of contracting the virus, while laboratory testing has confirmed multiple cases.
Two seriously ill passengers and another individual considered a close contact were evacuated from the ship and transported toward Europe for specialized medical treatment. Officials said one patient experienced life-support complications during transport, forcing an emergency stop in Spain after Morocco reportedly refused permission for the evacuation aircraft to refuel there.
The outbreak has sparked alarm because authorities identified the Andean strain of hantavirus, a rare version capable of human-to-human transmission under very close-contact conditions. Health officials stressed that such transmission remains uncommon and is very different from airborne diseases such as COVID-19 or influenza.
The cruise originated in Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1 and traveled through remote destinations including Saint Helena before heading toward West Africa. Officials are now tracing passengers who disembarked earlier in the voyage to determine whether additional exposure occurred.
Argentina’s health ministry announced rodent-trapping operations and environmental testing in Ushuaia as part of the investigation. No associated cases have yet been identified there.
The World Health Organization has emphasized that the broader public risk remains low, despite the seriousness of the outbreak onboard. WHO officials explained that transmission typically requires prolonged, close physical contact, such as sharing cabins or providing direct medical care.
Spain’s government said Spanish citizens from the ship will be quarantined at a military hospital in Madrid upon arrival. Other passengers are expected to be repatriated to their home countries if they remain symptom-free.
Passengers onboard described a tense but orderly atmosphere, saying crew members have instructed everyone to minimize close contact, use sanitizer frequently, and monitor symptoms carefully.
Despite the mounting concerns, some passengers said morale aboard the ship remains relatively calm as travelers wait for authorities to complete medical evaluations and determine the next steps.