On May 2, 2026, the World Health Organization released a joint statement alongside Oceanwide Expeditions. The report outlined a potential Hantavirus outbreak that was occurring on a transatlantic journey on the ship MV Hondius from Argentina to Cape Verde on Africa’s west coast.
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In reality, the outbreak began almost a month before the statement was released by the WHO and Oceanwide Expeditions.
The Hantavirus outbreak, which can cause severe respiratory distress and is passed by infected rats, began on April 6, 2026, when a passenger first showed symptoms. Only five days later, on April 11, the passenger died. Shortly after, his widow began showing symptoms.
Unfortunately, she died around the time the Hantavirus outbreak was confirmed between April 24 and 26, after she was hospitalized in South Africa.
Since then, cases have gone up. Here’s what we know.
Hantavirus on the MV Hondius: what we know
At the time of publication, three passengers who boarded the MV Hondius in Argentina have died due to the Hantavirus. Four more have been infected, with one additional passenger in critical care in a South African hospital.
That’s a total of seven cases of Hantavirus, according to WHO. Two have been confirmed by laboratory results, while the other five are suspected.
Symptoms include fever, gastrointestinal problems, respiratory distress, and pneumonia. Currently, one passenger is being treated for pneumonia, although Hantavirus hasn’t been confirmed.
All passengers are being isolated or medically evacuated under the guidance of an international response. While Hantavirus normally spreads through contact with infected rodent feces, urine, or saliva, it’s also possible that the disease is being spread via human contact. WHO reports that the Andes virus, a species of Hantavirus, has been observed to pass between humans.
Currently, the MV Hondius is anchored off the coast of Cape Verde. There are 147 individuals onboard, including 88 passengers and 59 crew members from around the world. Healthcare professionals in Cape Verde are responsible for passenger care and testing.
Because Hantavirus doesn’t always show immediate symptoms, it’s possible that the cases did not originate on the MV Hondius. However, the Hantavirus rarely spreads between people, making the MV Hondius a likely source for the outbreak.
According to the BBC, the MV Hondius and Oceanwide Expeditions are seeking to dock in the Canary Islands, which are a Spanish territory. Two crew members who are currently showing symptoms of the virus could be medically evacuated via aircraft to the Netherlands. Oceanwide Expeditions is headquartered in the Netherlands.
