WHO tracks 88 fliers after Hantavirus deaths linked to cruise evacuation

The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a contact-tracing operation for 88 people who travelled on a flight from Saint Helena to Johannesburg after two co-passengers infected with hantavirus died, triggering global health concerns over possible exposure during transit.

The two victims, a Dutch woman and her husband, had boarded the flight after being evacuated from a luxury cruise ship where infections had been detected. Both later died while receiving treatment, prompting authorities to identify and reach fellow passengers who may have come into contact with them.

South African carrier Airlink, which operated the flight, confirmed there were 82 passengers and 6 crew members onboard. The airline said tracing efforts are underway, with authorities asking travelers to contact health officials if they were on the flight, according to AFP.

The outbreak has been linked to the expedition cruise ship MV Hondius, which had 88 passengers and 59 crew members from 23 countries. The vessel has remained at the centre of an escalating health scare since WHO was alerted over the weekend that hantavirus caused multiple infections and deaths onboard.

The virus, typically transmitted through contact with infected rodents or their bodily fluids, is not commonly known for human-to-human spread. However, WHO officials now suspect rare transmission between close contacts may have occurred on the ship, raising fresh concerns.

The vessel remains anchored off Cape Verde after being denied docking permission as more cases emerged. It is expected to move toward Europe on 06 April after Spain allowed it to dock in the Canary Islands, where nearly 150 passengers are set to be medically evacuated.

WHO confirmed that 3 of the 7 reported cases — both confirmed and suspected — have resulted in fatalities. The first deaths involved the Dutch couple, believed to have travelled in South America before boarding the cruise. The man died on April 11, while his wife fell critically ill during a flight on April 25 and died the following day.

A German national also died after contracting the virus onboard. One patient in Johannesburg remains in critical condition, while three others have reported mild symptoms, including one who is now asymptomatic.

The unfolding situation has prompted heightened surveillance, with global health agencies racing to contain any further spread of the rare but potentially fatal disease.