Hantavirus outbreak leaves three dead on cruise ship, but ‘no need to panic’
Three people have died and three others are seriously ill following a suspected hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship traveling from Argentina to the Canary Islands. Only one case has been laboratory-confirmed, while the others are considered suspected due to severe respiratory symptoms. Health authorities, including the WHO and South Africa's National Department of Health, state there is no need for public panic and are coordinating a multicountry response.
- ▪The MV Hondius departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, with planned stops in Antarctica, the Falkland Islands, Cape Verde, and the Canary Islands.
- ▪Three passengers, including a Dutch couple and a British man, have died; one case has been confirmed as hantavirus, and five others are suspected.
- ▪Hantavirus is primarily spread by rodents, especially deer mice, and only the Andes virus strain has shown person-to-person transmission.
- ▪The WHO is coordinating a response and Oceanwide Expeditions is providing medical support to those affected.
- ▪Gene Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa, died from hantavirus in February 2025, increasing public awareness of the disease.
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A suspected outbreak of the rare hantavirus has left three dead and at least three others seriously ill on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean, though “there is no need for the public to panic,” according to National Department of Health in South Africa spokesman Foster Mohale and the World Health Organization. The MV Hondius departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, about three weeks ago en route to the Canary Islands, with stops scheduled in mainland Antarctica, the Falkland Islands, and Cape Verde. Mohale said that passengers of the ship were in medical facilities in South Africa “following serious health complications arising from undiagnosed severe acute respiratory infection.” Recommended Stories Hantavirus outbreak leaves three dead on cruise ship, but ‘no need to panic’ Missouri Rep.
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