Fatalities rise to three as Hantavirus infection on cruise vessel escalates globally, affecting 32 nations, according to World Health Organization findings

A handout picture from Argentina's Health Ministry depicts a scientist at the Malbrán Institute holding a container used for diagnosing the Andes hantavirus, containing RNA from the Andes virus for detection purposes, in Buenos Aires on May 6, 2026, amidst an increase in hantavirus cases in Argentina, though not an outbreak, according to an expert who spoke to AFP on May 6.

n

The MV Hondius cruise ship, which set sail from Ushuaia in southern Argentina on April 1, is currently anchored off the coast of Cape Verde, following the deaths of three passengers, potentially from hantavirus, prompting a global health scare.

n

A deadly hantavirus outbreak associated with the international cruise ship has triggered a major global health alert, with the World Health Organization confirming the virus has spread to 32 countries, territories, and areas, resulting in three fatalities and hundreds under surveillance.

n

The outbreak, linked to the Netherlands-flagged M/V Hondius cruise vessel, has recorded 13 confirmed and probable cases among passengers and crew, with the WHO warning of potential additional infections due to the virus's six-week incubation period.

n

Health authorities worldwide are racing to trace over 600 contacts linked to the voyage, as evidence suggests human-to-human transmission occurred onboard, with the WHO managing the outbreak through a coordinated international response.

n

The global health agency reported that all confirmed infections involved individuals who traveled on the M/V Hondius, with the outbreak initially reported on May 2 after a cluster of severe respiratory illnesses, including two deaths and one critically ill passenger, was detected onboard.

n

Since the WHO's last update on May 13, three new confirmed cases have emerged in Canada, the Netherlands, and Spain, with officials stating the Canadian case developed symptoms during monitoring, while the Spanish and Dutch cases were identified through testing of high-risk contacts.

n

Investigations suggest the first infected passenger may have contracted the virus before boarding through land exposure, but preliminary findings now strongly indicate the virus spread among passengers and crew during the voyage, with the WHO stating "current evidence suggests subsequent human-to-human transmission onboard the ship".

n

Preliminary genetic sequencing revealed "near-identical" virus samples among infected individuals, and the cruise ship had stopped at Saint Helena, Ascension Island, Cabo Verde, and Tenerife before the outbreak's extent was fully understood, raising concerns of wider international exposure.

n

Over 600 contacts, including passengers, crew, healthcare workers, and airline travelers, have been identified globally, with 53% classified as high-risk contacts, who are currently under quarantine or active health monitoring as authorities intensify efforts to contain further spread.

n

Although the WHO assessed the overall global risk from the outbreak as "low", it maintained that the risk for passengers and crew onboard remains moderate, explaining that the crowded cruise ship environment increased transmission risks due to close living quarters and frequent interpersonal interactions.

n

The Andes hantavirus is primarily transmitted through contact with infected rodents or contaminated surfaces and is endemic in parts of South America, particularly Argentina and Chile, with the WHO noting it is one of the few hantaviruses capable of limited human-to-human transmission.

n

Previous outbreaks showed that transmission usually occurred among close contacts in confined indoor settings, requiring prolonged exposure, and the WHO disclosed that there is currently no approved antiviral treatment for hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, the severe respiratory disease caused by Andes virus infection.

n

Critically ill patients may require intensive care, mechanical ventilation, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation to survive severe illness, with the WHO recommending 42 days of quarantine and active monitoring for high-risk contacts, and advising low-risk contacts to self-monitor and seek medical attention if symptoms develop.

n

The WHO has facilitated nearly 1,000 communications between countries through International Health Regulations channels as governments coordinate contact tracing and outbreak response efforts, stressing that no changes to routine activities are recommended for the general public, and no international travel or trade restrictions have been imposed beyond movement limitations for identified high-risk contacts.

n

Investigations into the exact mode of transmission remain ongoing, with scientists examining whether infections occurred through contaminated surfaces, respiratory droplets, or airborne particles, as the WHO continues to monitor the situation and provide updates on the outbreak.