Hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship raises global concern, WHO says risk remains low

A suspected outbreak of hantavirus aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean has left at least three people dead and several others ill, prompting a global health response led by the World Health Organization (WHO).

According to WHO officials, seven cases of hantavirus — two confirmed and several suspected — have been identified so far. The virus, typically transmitted through contact with infected rodent urine, droppings, or saliva, can cause severe respiratory illness and, in some cases, death.

Health authorities are investigating whether rare human-to-human transmission may have occurred among close contacts on board. While such transmission is uncommon, it has been associated with certain strains of the virus, including those found in parts of South America.

Despite the seriousness of the outbreak, the WHO has emphasised that the risk to the general public remains low. Officials noted that hantavirus does not spread easily between people and behaves differently from highly transmissible viruses such as influenza or COVID-19.

The first cases were reported in early April, with an elderly Dutch passenger among the initial fatalities. Additional deaths and severe cases have since been reported, including patients requiring intensive care in South Africa.

Passengers onboard the ship have been largely confined to their cabins as a precaution, while international health teams conduct testing and epidemiological assessments. Authorities in Cape Verde have so far denied permission for the vessel to dock, citing public health concerns.

Investigators are also examining whether the infection may have originated before boarding, possibly linked to exposure in South America, where certain strains of hantavirus are known to circulate.

The WHO, along with national governments and the ship’s operators, is continuing to monitor the situation closely, with efforts underway to evacuate affected individuals and ensure containment of the outbreak.

The incident has drawn attention to the challenges of managing infectious diseases in confined environments such as cruise ships, where close contact among passengers can accelerate the spread of illness, even in cases involving viruses that are typically not highly transmissible.

The vessel, MV Hondius, is currently anchored near Cape Verde after local authorities denied permission for passengers to disembark due to safety concerns.

Around 149 passengers and crew from 23 countries remain onboard under strict precautionary measures, including isolation and enhanced hygiene protocols, the operator said.