3 Deaths, 12 Countries Affected: Cruise Ship Hantavirus Outbreak Sparks Global Alarm

A rare hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship has caused three deaths and global monitoring across countries. WHO says the risk remains low, but investigations continue as authorities trace passengers across continents.

New Delhi: A hantavirus outbreak on the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius has triggered international concern after three passengers died during a voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. The vessel, carrying around 150 tourists, reported multiple illnesses over several weeks while sailing through remote regions including Antarctica and South Atlantic islands.

The first fatality was a 70-year-old Dutch man who became ill shortly after departure from Ushuaia, Argentina. His condition worsened onboard with fever and digestive symptoms. His wife later died in South Africa after collapsing at an airport. A third passenger, a German woman, also died onboard nearly a month after the initial case.

WHO Says Risk to Public Remains Low

The World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed five laboratory-verified and three suspected cases linked to the outbreak. Officials emphasised that the risk of wider transmission remains low, as hantavirus does not spread easily between humans.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted that the incubation period can last up to six weeks, meaning additional cases may still emerge as monitoring continues.

Multi-Country Monitoring Underway

Authorities across multiple countries are tracking passengers who disembarked at various stops, including Saint Helena, South Africa, and Cape Verde. At least 12 countries have been notified, following:-

-Denmark

-Germany

-New Zealand

-Saint Kitts and Nevis

-Singapore

-Sweden

-Switzerland

-Turkey

-United States

-Combined unique list

-Argentina

-Saint Helena

-South Africa

-Cape Verde

-Netherlands

-United Kingdom

-Canada

-Denmark

-Germany

-New Zealand

Health agencies are conducting contact tracing as some passengers showed symptoms after leaving the ship.

Source Still Unknown

Investigations are ongoing, and the exact origin of the outbreak has not been confirmed. Argentine health authorities stated that current data is insufficient to determine how the infection began.

Despite public concern, experts stress that hantavirus is significantly less contagious than respiratory viruses like COVID-19, and the outbreak is not considered a pandemic threat.