Hantavirus Cruise Ship Outbreak

Multiple countries including the US, UK, France, Singapore, and Canada began tracking passengers from the MV Hondius cruise ship and conducting contact tracing to prevent further hantavirus transmission.

The World Health Organization warned that more hantavirus cases may emerge from the cruise ship outbreak due to the incubation period and urged strict international coordination and health measures.

Argentina reported a doubling of hantavirus cases since June 2025, linked to climate change effects favoring rodent population growth; investigations included travel histories of infected cruise passengers to control spread.

The World Health Organization assessed the public risk from the cruise ship hantavirus outbreak as low but noted rising hantavirus cases in parts of the Americas, including Argentina.

Health experts highlighted the Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome mortality rate of 38-40%, emphasizing the absence of specific treatment or vaccine and the importance of prevention by avoiding rodent exposure.

The MV Hondius cruise ship was quarantined off Cape Verde and denied permission to disembark passengers as authorities coordinated medical rescue and assessed public health risks.

At least three passengers have died from hantavirus on the MV Hondius cruise ship, with additional suspected and confirmed cases under investigation by WHO and health authorities.

The first passenger death from hantavirus aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship occurred on April 11 during its voyage in the Atlantic Ocean.