May 4, 2026

Spanish Health Points to Cruise Ship as Source of Hantavirus Outbreak

The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed this Sunday that at least six people were affected by a possible hantavirus outbreak – three dead and three ill – detected on the ship ‘MV Hondius’, which set sail with 150 tourists aboard on March 20 from Ushuaia (southern Argentina) to cross the South Atlantic heading for the Spanish Canary Islands archipelago. The largest group on board the ship are Filipinos (38), followed by Britons (23), Americans (17), and Spaniards (14). There is also one Argentine passenger and one Guatemalan crew member. The vessel is currently off the coast of Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, whose authorities have denied entry for reasons of "national public security," as reported by the cruise operator, the Dutch company Oceanwide Expeditions. The WHO confirmed at least six people affected by a possible hantavirus outbreak – three dead and three ill – on the ‘MV Hondius’ ship. The vessel is off the coast of Cape Verde, whose authorities have denied entry. The outbreak is believed to have occurred on the ship itself. Hantavirus is generally contracted by inhalation, but also through direct contact or bites/scratches from infected rodents. Symptoms resemble flu, and severe cases can lead to the potentially fatal cardiopulmonary syndrome. Prevention involves hygiene to avoid rodents and good ventilation. The company is considering navigating to the Canary Islands for medical examinations and case management.