Three people have died and a British man is critically ill following a suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic, raising concern among health authorities and passengers.
Tour operator Oceanwide Expeditions said two Dutch passengers — a husband and wife — and a German national have died, although the exact causes of death have not yet been confirmed.
A 69-year-old British passenger, however, has tested positive for hantavirus and is currently in intensive care in Johannesburg after being medically evacuated from the vessel.
The ship, MV Hondius, is currently anchored off Praia with 149 people on board. Two crew members — one British and one Dutch — are also receiving urgent medical attention for respiratory symptoms, though hantavirus has not been confirmed in their cases.
Hantavirus is a rare but potentially serious disease usually transmitted to humans through contact with infected rodents, particularly via urine, droppings or saliva. In severe cases, it can lead to life-threatening respiratory complications. Person-to-person transmission is extremely uncommon.
According to the company, the first passenger fell ill and died earlier in April, with subsequent cases emerging in the following weeks. The British patient became seriously ill on 27 April and was evacuated to South Africa, where he remains in critical but stable condition.
South Africa’s health minister, Aaron Motsoaledi, said the patient is receiving supportive care, noting that there is no specific antiviral treatment for hantavirus. Authorities are now tracing and testing those who may have been in contact with him.
The World Health Organization said it is working urgently with international and local authorities to manage the situation, stressing that while hantavirus infections can be severe, the risk to the wider public remains low and there is no need for travel restrictions.
Passengers have been unable to disembark in Cape Verde due to health precautions, and discussions are ongoing about transferring those on board to the Canary Islands for further screening and evacuation.
Strict containment measures, including isolation protocols and enhanced hygiene procedures, have been implemented on the ship as investigations continue into the cause of the deaths and the extent of the outbreak.
