A rare hantavirus outbreak linked to the Dutch-flagged luxury expedition cruise ship, MV Hondius, has triggered international concern after at least three people died and several others tested positive across multiple countries.
The vessel, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, departed Ushuaia, Argentina, in early April for an Antarctic voyage before crossing the Atlantic toward the Canary Islands through routes including Saint Helena and Cape Verde.
Health authorities say the outbreak involves the Andes strain of hantavirus, one of the few known variants capable of limited human-to-human transmission.
Three deaths confirmed
According to reports from global health agencies, at least eight cases have been identified so far, including five laboratory-confirmed infections and several suspected cases.
Among the fatalities are a Dutch couple and a German national.
The first victim, a Dutch man believed to be in his 70s, reportedly developed symptoms including fever, headache, abdominal pain and diarrhoea before dying onboard around April 11.
His wife later died in South Africa, while a German woman also succumbed to the illness.
One patient is currently said to be in critical condition in South Africa, while others are receiving treatment or recovering in hospitals across the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and South Africa.
Passengers evacuated as investigations intensify
The ship reportedly carried about 147 passengers and crew members from at least 12 nationalities, including Americans, Britons and Canadians.
Around April 24, nearly 30 passengers disembarked in Saint Helena and travelled independently to various countries before extensive contact tracing began.
Following growing concerns, three passengers were evacuated from the ship between May 6 and May 7 while the vessel was near Cape Verde.
Two were hospitalised in stable condition in the Netherlands, while another asymptomatic passenger travelled to Germany.
Authorities later cleared the ship to continue its journey toward Tenerife in the Canary Islands after no fresh symptomatic cases were reported onboard.
Health agencies monitor possible transmission
Investigators believe the outbreak may have started through exposure to infected rodents, possibly in South America or onboard the vessel, before limited human-to-human transmission occurred among close contacts.
The Andes strain is considered unusual because most hantaviruses spread only through contact with rodent urine, saliva or droppings.
Health experts stressed that the virus is not airborne like COVID-19 and currently poses a low risk to the wider public.
Symptoms usually appear between one and eight weeks after exposure and can progress rapidly from flu-like illness to severe respiratory complications.
Global response underway
The World Health Organization (WHO), Africa CDC, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, UK Health Security Agency, US CDC and several national governments are now involved in monitoring and contact tracing efforts.
Authorities in the United States are reportedly monitoring several passengers who returned to states including Texas, Georgia, California, Arizona and Virginia, although no active symptoms have been confirmed among them.
Passengers and crew onboard the vessel were advised to use protective equipment, including masks, while investigations continue.
Health experts maintain that there is currently no evidence of widespread community transmission or signs of a broader pandemic threat.