Deadly Hantavirus Cruise Ship Outbreak: List Of Countries That Have Reported Cases

What began as a cruise through South Atlantic has now turned into a multinational health scare, with hantavirus cases linked to the MV Hondius reported across Europe and the US.

A deadly hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship has spurred global concern over the potential spread of the virus among and from ship evacuees as they head back to their home countries. (IMAGE: AFP)

A deadly hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius has spread across multiple countries, leaving at least three people dead and several others infected as health authorities race to trace passengers repatriated across Europe and the United States.

Among living patients, seven cases have been confirmed while another has been classified as a “probable” infection, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and national health authorities. Several suspected cases and close contacts are also being investigated.

The outbreak, linked to the rare Andes strain of hantavirus, has triggered emergency evacuations, isolation measures and international contact tracing efforts after passengers aboard the South Atlantic cruise began falling ill.

Here is a country-wise breakdown of confirmed and probable cases linked to the MV Hondius outbreak:

• Netherlands: The Netherlands has reported the highest number of deaths linked to the outbreak so far, with two Dutch passengers dying and another case confirmed. The first fatalities were a Dutch couple who had travelled around South America before boarding the ship in Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1. The 70-year-old husband developed symptoms on April 6 and died on April 11. His body was later removed from the ship during its stop at Saint Helena island in the South Atlantic. While no hantavirus test was conducted, the WHO considers him a “probable” case. His 69-year-old wife, who had also disembarked at Saint Helena after feeling unwell, died in a Johannesburg hospital on April 26 after her condition worsened during a flight from the island. Hantavirus infection was confirmed on May 4. A third Dutch national — the ship’s doctor — tested positive for the Andes strain on May 6 after developing symptoms days earlier. He was evacuated to the Netherlands via Cape Verde and remains in stable condition in isolation.
• UK: British authorities have confirmed two infections linked to the outbreak, while another British passenger has been classified as a probable case. One British man fell ill on April 24 and was airlifted from Ascension Island to South Africa three days later, where he was admitted to intensive care. Tests later confirmed hantavirus infection and sequencing identified the Andes strain. Another British national working as a guide aboard the ship developed symptoms on April 27 and tested positive on May 6. He was evacuated to the Netherlands from Cape Verde and is being treated in isolation. A third British passenger, who had left the ship earlier at Tristan da Cunha, later reported symptoms and remains listed by the WHO as a probable case pending laboratory confirmation. British military personnel and medics reportedly parachuted onto the remote island to deliver emergency medical supplies.
• Germany: A German woman who developed fever and pneumonia while onboard the ship died on May 2. Post-mortem testing later confirmed infection with the Andes strain of hantavirus. Her body remained aboard the MV Hondius as the vessel prepared to depart Tenerife for the Netherlands.
• Switzerland: A Swiss passenger who disembarked at Saint Helena on April 22 later travelled home via South Africa and Qatar. He began showing symptoms after arriving in Switzerland and tested positive for the Andes strain on May 5. He is being treated in isolation.
• France: French authorities confirmed a hantavirus infection in a woman repatriated from the cruise ship after she developed symptoms late on May 10. French Health Minister Stephanie Rist said her condition deteriorated overnight.
• United States: US health authorities said one of 17 American citizens repatriated from the ship tested “mildly PCR positive” for hantavirus, while another passenger showed mild symptoms. The passengers are being moved to specialised medical facilities in Nebraska for further observation and treatment.
• Spain: Spanish authorities confirmed that one passenger evacuated from the virus-hit cruise ship tested positive for hantavirus after arriving in Madrid. The passenger was asymptomatic and placed in isolation at the Gomez Ulla military hospital. Spain’s health ministry said 13 other evacuees had tested negative for now, while final confirmatory results were still awaited.

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