Three people have died after a suspected hantavirus outbreak on a Dutch cruise ship travelling to Cape Verde from Argentina.
Victims include a Dutch couple who died shortly after displaying symptoms on board the MV Hondius cruise liner, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions.
The man, 70, died on arrival at St. Helena island in the South Atlantic, while his wife, 69, was evacuated to Johannesburg hospital in South Africa where she later died.
The third fatality took place on board the cruise ship, where the body remains.
A 69-year-old British passenger is now fighting for his life in intensive care in Johannesburg, South Africa, after contracting the virus and is the only confirmed case of the fatal disease.
Two crew are also reported to be unwell and require urgent medical attention.
The ship - which was travelling with around 150 passengers - has now been stationary just off the coast of Cape Verde for at least 24 hours. It is understood that passengers will not disembark from the cruise ship until given the go-ahead from local authorities.
Health officials have visited the ship but did not make a decision on transferring the infected passengers to medical care facilities in Cape Verde.
In a statement, cruise operator Oceanwide Expeditions said its priority was “to ensure that the two symptomatic individuals on board receive adequate and expedited medical care.”
The company added that it is working to repatriate the body of the third deceased individual.
The disease is the same infection that claimed the life of Gene Hackman’s life Betsy Arakawa in February last year.
So what is hantavirus? And what do we know about the outbreak on board the cruise ship?
What is hantavirus?
Hantavirus is a rare but fatal respiratory illness, transmitted by infected rodents to humans through the inhalation of airborne particles from dried droppings.
Infections usually occur when the virus becomes airborne from the rodent’s saliva, droppings, or urine. Rarely, it can be spread through rodent bites or scratches.
It is also rare for the illness to be passed between people.
The virus can lead to two illnesses - Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) and Haemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS)
HPS is the most common with a mortality rate of between 30% and 50%. It affects the respiratory system, with symptoms including headaches, fever, abdominal pain, and dizziness
The latter is more severe and impacts the kidneys. HFRS develops within two weeks and can cause blurred vision, nausea, headaches, and abdominal pain.
According to the World Health Organisation, the virus requires “careful patient monitoring, support, and response.”
What are the symptoms of hantavirus?
The virus has a long incubation period, meaning it can take anywhere from one to eight weeks for people to develop symptoms.
Initial symptoms of the disease can be mistaken for the flu and include muscle aches, fever, fatigue, and abdominal pain.
This can rapidly progress to shortness of breath, coughing, fluid in the lungs, low blood pressure, and even cardiac failure.
How to treat hantavirus?
There is no specific cure for the hantavirus infection.
The best treatment is supportive care which includes breathing support and in some cases, intubation. Patients are usually treated in intensive care units and given oxygen therapy to assist with breathing.
Early detection and medical attention is considered the best way to improve chances of survival.
The best way to manage the virus is to avoid exposure, according to the American Lung Association. The charity recommends controlling rodent populations in homes and workplaces and sealing entry points to homes.
What has the cruise operator said?
Oceanwide Expeditions is a Dutch cruise firm specialising in voyages across the polar region.
On the company website, the operator boasts tours of “remote regions” targeted towards independent travellers typically aged between 30 and 80.
Oceanwide Expeditions has released the following statement: "Oceanwide Expeditions is currently managing a serious medical situation on board the vessel m/v Hondius, located off the coast of Cape Verde. During this voyage, three passengers have passed away.
“In addition, one passenger is currently being treated in intensive care in Johannesburg, and two crew members on board require urgent medical care.
"As of 23:00 hrs CET on 3 May 2026, no authorisation from Cape Verdean authorities has been given to disembark guests requiring medical care or to support with medical screening. Local health authorities have visited the vessel to assess the condition of the two symptomatic individuals. They are yet to make a decision regarding the transfer of these individuals into medical care in Cape Verde.
"The priority of Oceanwide Expeditions is to ensure that the two symptomatic individuals on board receive adequate and expedited medical care. Dutch authorities have agreed to lead a joint effort in organising the repatriation of the two symptomatic individuals on board m/v Hondius from Cape Verde to the Netherlands. The body of the deceased individual is also planned to be included in this repatriation, along with a guest closely associated with the deceased. This individual is not symptomatic.
"This repatriation depends on many factors, including the authorisation and support of local Cape Verdean health authorities for the transfer of individuals requiring medical attention from m/v Hondius. We are in close contact with those directly affected and their families and are providing support where possible.
"The health and safety of all passengers and crew is our highest priority. Oceanwide Expeditions is working closely with local and international authorities, including WHO, RIVM, relevant embassies, and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Disembarkation and medical screening of all guests require coordination with local health authorities, and we are in close consultation with them.
"We are currently establishing the full facts and working on appropriate medical care, screening, and next steps. We will provide a further update as soon as more information becomes available."
What has the British Foreign Office said?
The Foreign Office has been monitoring the outbreak on board the MV Hondius.
In a statement, the ministry said: "We are closely monitoring reports of a potential hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship Hondius and stand ready to support British nationals if needed. We are in touch with the cruise company and local authorities."
The statement comes as a British national aged 70 continues to fight for his life in intensive care.
Will there be more cases of hantavirus?
As symptoms can take up to eight weeks to emerge, it is unclear whether there will be more cases of the fatal disease.
An epidemiologist Michael Baker told the BBC that passengers would have been infected prior to boarding the cruise ship due to the virus’s long incubation period.
He added that the outbreak requires investigation to see if there were preventable factors and to evaluate traveller itineraries.
Cruise ships are known for being an environment conducive to transmission of infection, primarily because a large number of people are kept in a small space for prolonged periods.
