The World Health Organization (WHO) assesses the risk of the epidemic spreading to the community as low. The agency emphasizes that hantavirus mainly spreads from rodents to humans, not easily transmitted between humans. Epidemiological investigations and virus gene sequencing are still ongoing to identify the source of infection and specific virus strains.
According to medical experts, hantaviruses are a rare but dangerous group of viruses, which can cause hantavirus lung syndrome or dengue fever accompanied by kidney failure. People infected with this virus often have initial symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, fatigue, and then can quickly progress to respiratory failure or kidney failure with a high mortality rate. The main source of infection comes from contact with urine, feces or saliva of infected rodents.
International health officials are currently coordinating with relevant countries, including the UK, Netherlands and South Africa, to organize medical evacuation and handle the situation. The operator of the Oceanwide Expeditions said passengers remained calm and complied with strict quarantine measures on board.
Although the risk of community spread is low, the incident once again shows that diseases transmitted from animals to humans still pose great risks, especially in closed environments such as cruise ships. Experts warn that it is necessary to strengthen medical surveillance and epidemiological control for long journeys through many different geographical areas.
WHO said that the hantavirus outbreak related to the cruise ship MV Hondius off Cape Verde has recorded 7 cases. This development has attracted the attention of the international medical community as the ship is still trapped in the Atlantic Ocean with about 150 people, according to SCMP.
According to WHO, the cluster of cases was reported from May 2, 2026, related to cases of acute respiratory infections on Dutch-flagged ships. By May 4, 2026, the agency confirmed 3 deaths, 1 patient in critical condition and 3 people with mild symptoms.
The MV Hondius departed from Argentina in March on a polar expedition, carrying passengers from 23 countries. The ship is currently anchored off Cape Verde after being refused port access due to concerns about the epidemic.
Three fatalities included a Dutch couple and a German citizen. A British passenger is currently being actively treated in South Africa after being confirmed to be infected with the hantavirus. In addition, two crew members also showed respiratory symptoms and needed emergency medical care.
