WHO: Cruise ship Hantavirus outbreak likely originated offboard, public risk low

Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s director for epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention, told reporters in Geneva that the first patient and his wife were probably infected prior to boarding, based on the virus’s incubation period.

“Our assumption is that they were infected off the ship,” she explained.

She added that investigators are examining the possibility of limited human-to-human transmission among close contacts, which can occur within one to six weeks.

So far, seven out of 147 passengers and crew members have fallen ill, including two confirmed and five suspected cases. Three people have died.

One patient is currently in intensive care in South Africa and showing signs of recovery. Two others remain on the ship and are being prepared for medical evacuation to the Netherlands.

As a precaution, passengers have been instructed to stay in their cabins while disinfection and other health measures are carried out. No new symptomatic cases have been reported.

Hantaviruses are typically spread by rodents and can cause severe illness in humans, though transmission between people is rare. Genetic sequencing is underway to identify the exact strain, with the Andes virus considered a possible candidate.

Authorities have not found evidence of rodents on the ship. However, the vessel’s multiple stops along the African coast may have exposed passengers to wildlife, which could explain additional infections.

WHO is working closely with officials in Cabo Verde, the Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, and the UK, as well as the ship’s operators. Investigations, including contact tracing and virus sequencing, are ongoing.

After evacuating infected patients, the ship is expected to continue to the Canary Islands, where Spanish authorities will conduct a full investigation and disinfection.

The Dutch vessel, MV Hondius, had been on a multi-week polar cruise from Argentina to Antarctica.

Earlier, it was reported that the World Health Organization had announced the deaths of three people from hantavirus infection aboard a cruise vessel.

Cabo Verde announced it was arranging air evacuation from MV Hondius due to hantavirus outbreak