Amid growing global concern over the Hantavirus outbreak, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of additional cases linked to the infection aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius. Intensified monitoring efforts are underway to prevent any large-scale outbreak, even as the global health body maintains that the overall public health risk is low.
The outbreak occurred on the Dutch-flagged cruise ship, which departed from Argentina towards Cabo Verde. WHO on Thursday confirmed that eight cases have been identified, so far, including three deaths, while three remain suspected. Five cases have been laboratory-confirmed.
WHO Chief warns, “More cases may be reported”
During a media briefing, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the outbreak of the infection involved the Andes virus, found mainly in Latin America. It is believed to be a rare strain of hantavirus primarily transmitted between humans in close-contact settings. “Given the incubation period of the Andes virus, which can be up to six weeks, more cases may be reported,” he said. Dr. Ghebreyesus further explained that hantavirus typically spreads through exposure to infected rodents or their droppings, urine, or saliva.
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“I would also like to thank the Governments of Cabo Verde, the Netherlands, South Africa, Spain and the United Kingdom for their close partnership and support.
I also thank the many partners who have provided expertise, including the NICD in South Africa, the Institut Pasteur…
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) May 7, 2026
Is Hantavirus a Covid-19-like pandemic?
Addressing a press briefing, Infectious disease epidemiologist Maria DeJoseph Van Kerkhove clarified, “This is not COVID, this is not influenza. It spreads very, very differently. So, there are different precautions that people are taking.”
WHO alerts 12 countries
The WHO has issued alerts to the 12 countries whose nationals disembarked from the Dutch-flagged cruise ship at Saint Helena, including the UK, the US, Singapore, Canada, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, and Turkey.
Reported cases and deaths so far
According to reports, the first known patient died aboard the vessel on April 11 after developing symptoms on April 6. The Hantavirus was not initially suspected as it resembled other respiratory illnesses, but his wife later developed symptoms after disembarking at St Helena. She subsequently died in Johannesburg, South Africa, after her condition deteriorated during a flight on April 25.
A third passenger died on the 2nd of May after falling sick several days earlier. Another patient is currently in intensive care in South Africa, while three infected passengers were airlifted to the Netherlands for treatment. Two of them are said to be in stable condition.
WHO also confirmed that another passenger later tested positive in Zurich, Switzerland, after disembarking in St Helena. The ship is reportedly heading towards the Canary Islands after Spain agreed to receive it.
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