Hantavirus Cruise Outbreak: 3 Evacuated, Andes Strain Confirmed

Three more passengers have been evacuated from a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean after a deadly hantavirus outbreak that has already claimed three lives and left others in serious condition. The MV Hondius, an expedition vessel operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, has been anchored off the coast of Cape Verde since Monday with about 150 people aboard, including 17 Americans.

Health officials confirmed Wednesday that the outbreak involves the Andes strain, the only known form of hantavirus that can pass between people. A new case was also identified in Switzerland, raising fresh concerns as authorities work to contain the cluster.

What Happened on the MV Hondius

The ship set sail from Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1 and stopped at remote spots such as mainland Antarctica, Tristan da Cunha, and St. Helena before turning toward West Africa. Three deaths have been tied to the outbreak so far: a Dutch couple and a German national. A British man is being treated in an intensive care unit in South Africa.

The World Health Organization said Wednesday that eight cases have been identified, with three confirmed by laboratory testing. Two of the three passengers evacuated this week had what Oceanwide described as acute symptoms. The third was a possible close contact. Among the evacuees was the Hondius's onboard doctor, who passenger updates shared on TikTok and Spain's health ministry initially described as being in serious condition before stabilizing. All three patients were flown by air ambulance from Praia International Airport in Cape Verde to specialized hospitals in the Netherlands and Germany.