Three people have died and five confirmed cases have been reported in a rare hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius, according to the World Health Organization. The Andes strain, the only hantavirus variant known to spread between humans, was identified.
The ship, carrying nearly 150 passengers and crew from 23 countries, has now left Cape Verde and is heading toward Spain’s Canary Islands under strict monitoring.
The outbreak traces back to the ship’s expedition route that began in Ushuaia, Argentina, in April. Investigators are examining whether passengers were exposed during a bird-watching excursion near a landfill area where infected rodents may have been present. Officials later clarified that no rodents had been found onboard the ship itself.
“This is not the next COVID, but it is a serious infectious disease,” Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO Director of Epidemic and Pandemic Management, on the low public transmission risk as countries continue tracing possible contacts linked to the outbreak.
Three passengers requiring medical care were evacuated from Cape Verde to Europe, including a British national, a German passenger, and a Dutch crew member. Two evacuees reportedly showed acute symptoms, while another was considered closely exposed to a confirmed case. One evacuation flight experienced delays after technical issues involving a patient’s life support equipment during transit.
According to the WHO, the Andes strain differs significantly from airborne respiratory viruses because transmission requires prolonged and close physical contact. Symptoms may include fever, muscle pain, dizziness, abdominal problems, and severe respiratory complications in later stages. The virus remains rare, but some strains carry high fatality rates once respiratory symptoms develop.
Spanish authorities said all passengers will undergo medical assessment upon arrival in Tenerife. Symptomatic individuals and Spanish nationals will be quarantined, while foreign passengers without symptoms are expected to return to their home countries after clearance from health officials.
