South African authorities continue contact tracing following cruise ship hantavirus outbreak

A suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship off West Africa has escalated, with additional cases identified and further medical evacuations under consideration.

Seven confirmed or suspected cases have now been recorded aboard MV Hondius, including three fatalities, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The situation continues to have direct implications for South Africa, where a British passenger remains in intensive care in Johannesburg.

The patient is described as being in critical but stable condition after testing positive for a hantavirus variant. Health authorities are continuing contact tracing in and around the city to assess any potential exposure.

Two crew members, including a British national, are also reported to be exhibiting acute respiratory symptoms and require urgent medical care.

One case is described as severe, with evacuation options under review as authorities assess where the vessel may be permitted to dock.

The outbreak has developed while the ship remains anchored off Cape Verde, with local authorities declining to allow docking on public health grounds.

Discussions are ongoing regarding a potential diversion to the Canary Islands, including Las Palmas or Tenerife, where further medical assessments and disembarkation could take place.

The WHO confirmed that, as of May 4th, two cases have been laboratory confirmed, with five additional suspected infections. Of the seven individuals affected, three have died, one remains critically ill, and three are reported to have mild symptoms.

Among the fatalities are a Dutch couple and a German national. One of the Dutch passengers died after disembarkation in St Helena, while his wife later died in South Africa after collapsing at OR Tambo International in Johannesburg.

A third death occurred on May 2nd, involving a German passenger.

Passengers and crew have been placed under isolation measures onboard, with enhanced hygiene protocols and ongoing medical monitoring introduced as authorities attempt to contain any further spread.

Oceanwide Expeditions, the vessel’s operator, confirmed that precautionary measures remain in place and that coordination continues with international health authorities to determine next steps, including possible medical evacuations and repatriation arrangements.

The source of the outbreak remains unclear. Investigators are examining whether the virus may have been transmitted via rodent exposure onboard or contracted during earlier stops in South America, with symptoms emerging later in the voyage.

Hantavirus is a rare disease typically spread through contact with infected rodent droppings, urine, or saliva. While most strains are not transmitted between humans, limited person-to-person transmission has been documented in specific variants, complicating efforts to determine the origin and spread of the current cases.

Despite the escalation, the WHO maintains that the risk to the wider public remains low and has not recommended travel restrictions. Authorities across multiple jurisdictions, including Europe and Africa, continue to coordinate response measures as the situation evolves.