Health officials are investigating a rare situation where Hantavirus may have spread between passengers aboard a Dutch cruise ship. The World Health Organization says transmission likely occurred among people in very close contact, though the overall public risk remains low.
Outbreak Reported on MV Hondius
The outbreak happened on the MV Hondius, which began its journey from Argentina about a month ago. The ship is now anchored near Cape Verde.
So far, seven cases have been identified. Two are confirmed, while five remain suspected. Three passengers have died during the voyage.
Medical Response and Evacuations
Medical teams from Cape Verde, with support from the WHO, boarded the ship to assess the situation. They are testing passengers and crew who show symptoms.
Two crew members, one British and one Dutch, developed serious respiratory symptoms. Authorities plan to evacuate them to the Netherlands for treatment. Another individual linked to a deceased passenger will also be evacuated.
Strict safety measures are now in place for the 149 people still onboard. These passengers come from 23 different countries, including around 20 British nationals.
Details of Confirmed Cases
Officials confirmed two hantavirus infections. One involved a Dutch woman who died. The other case is a 69 year old British passenger who was transferred to South Africa for medical care.
Two other deaths, including the woman’s husband and a German passenger, are not yet confirmed as hantavirus cases.
Possible Source of Infection
Health experts believe the first infected passenger may have contracted the virus before boarding the ship. Hantavirus usually spreads through contact with infected rodents, not between humans.
However, WHO officials now suspect limited human transmission in this case due to close contact in a confined environment.
