A serious medical incident has occurred on the expedition cruise ship Hondius, operated by the Dutch tour operator Oceanwide Expeditions, putting international health authorities on alert. Reports indicate that three passengers have died as a result of a suspected hantavirus infection.
The ship, known for its voyages to remote polar regions and the South Atlantic, is currently anchored off the coast of Cape Verde. While local authorities initially prohibited the immediate evacuation of the remaining passengers for fear of further spread, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the shipping company are working intensively on a solution for the medical care of the sick and the safe return of the healthy passengers.
Chronology of events and the victims
The tragic chain of events began in April 2026, while the ship was en route north from Ushuaia, Argentina. A 70-year-old Dutch passenger died on board on April 11; his body was later disembarked on the island of St. Helena. Shortly afterward, the health of his 69-year-old wife also deteriorated. She disembarked as scheduled but collapsed at Johannesburg airport in South Africa and died shortly thereafter in a hospital. Laboratory tests confirmed the hantavirus in her blood.
A third death occurred on May 2, 2026; according to the German Foreign Office, the deceased was a German citizen. Another passenger from Great Britain is currently in critical but stable condition in an intensive care unit in Johannesburg. Two crew members on board the Hondius are also receiving medical treatment for respiratory problems and fever. Laboratory tests are currently underway to determine whether they are also infected with the hantavirus.
Isolation off Praia and international coordination
The ship, which has space for 174 passengers and around 70 crew members, has not yet received permission from the Cape Verdean authorities to dock in the port of the capital, Praia. National Health Director Maria da Luz Lima emphasized that protecting the local population is the top priority until the exact circumstances of the outbreak are clarified. Cape Verdean medical professionals have now boarded the ship to assess the situation and take samples.
The World Health Organization (WHO) classified the case as a disease cluster on May 2nd. Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, stated that while the risk to the general public was low, as hantaviruses are not usually easily transmitted from person to person, the concentration of cases in a small area necessitates a detailed epidemiological investigation. Oceanwide Expeditions is currently exploring the possibility of allowing the Hondius to continue its voyage to the Canary Islands. Specialized clinics and laboratories are available in ports such as Las Palmas and Tenerife to conduct a comprehensive medical evaluation under the supervision of the Dutch health authorities and the WHO.
Background: The hantavirus and its transmission routes
Hantavirus is classically transmitted to humans by rodents such as mice or rats. Infection usually occurs through contact with the animals' excrement or by inhaling dust containing the virus. Initially, symptoms often resemble severe influenza, with high fever, headache, and muscle aches. However, depending on the virus strain, severe forms of the disease can occur, either impairing kidney function or triggering hemorrhagic fever with lung involvement (hantavirus-induced cardiopulmonary syndrome).
An outbreak on a modern cruise ship is considered unusual, as these ships are subject to strict hygiene controls. Experts are now investigating whether infected rodents came aboard during a shore excursion, for example in Argentina or the Falkland Islands, or whether supplies were contaminated. Human transmission is ruled out for most hantavirus strains, but in the case of the Hondius, investigators are also examining whether a rare variant is present that could allow person-to-person transmission, as has been observed sporadically in South America in the past.
Passenger situation and crisis management
The organizer describes the atmosphere on board as calm and composed. Passengers are being regularly informed about the ongoing negotiations with the authorities. Since the trip was originally scheduled to end in Cape Verde, the uncertainty surrounding the return journey is causing stress for many guests. Oceanwide Expeditions emphasized that they are doing everything possible to organize return flights as soon as medical clearance is granted.
The WHO has also launched a search for passengers who flew with the deceased Dutch woman from St. Helena to Johannesburg at the end of April. This is purely a precautionary measure to detect any potential further spread at an early stage. The incident poses an enormous logistical and financial challenge for the shipping company, while the scientific investigation into the cause could take weeks.