TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A suspected outbreak of hantavirus on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean has left three people dead and several others seriously ill, prompting an ongoing international health investigation.
As reported by CNN, the fatalities include an elderly married couple, while at least three other passengers have fallen ill. The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that at least one case of hantavirus infection has been verified, with one patient currently in intensive care at a hospital in South Africa.
The outbreak occurred aboard the MV Hondius, a Dutch-flagged polar cruise ship that had departed from Argentina roughly three weeks earlier. The vessel had traveled through Antarctica and several Atlantic islands and was last reported docked in Praia, Cape Verde.
Two of the victims were identified as a Dutch couple aged 70 and 69. The man died aboard the ship and was later taken to Saint Helena, while his wife collapsed at an airport in South Africa and died in a nearby hospital. A British passenger who also fell ill has tested positive for hantavirus and is receiving treatment in Johannesburg.
Hantavirus is primarily transmitted through contact with urine or feces from infected rodents. The virus can cause severe illnesses, including hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which affects the lungs, and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, which impacts the kidneys. Although rare, WHO noted that limited human-to-human transmission is possible.
“WHO is aware of and supporting a public health event involving a cruise vessel sailing in the Atlantic Ocean,” the agency said. “Detailed investigations are ongoing, including further laboratory testing, and epidemiological investigations. Medical care and support are being provided to passengers and crew.”
According to The Guardian, the ship’s operator, Oceanwide Expeditions, is working with authorities to arrange medical evacuation for affected passengers. However, logistical challenges remain, including delays in disembarkation approvals from local authorities.
South Africa’s Department of Health confirmed that contact tracing is underway, particularly in the Johannesburg area, to identify potential exposure among individuals who interacted with infected passengers.
WHO stated that there is currently no specific cure for hantavirus infection, although early medical intervention can significantly improve survival rates. The agency continues to coordinate with national authorities and the ship’s operator to assess public health risks and manage the situation.
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