The World Health Organization has warned that more cases of hantavirus infection may emerge following an outbreak aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean, but officials say they do not expect the situation to escalate into a large-scale epidemic.
The outbreak, linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius, has already claimed three lives and triggered an international public health response involving several countries. Health authorities are now tracing passengers and crew members who may have been exposed during the voyage.
According to WHO officials, the infections appear to be confined to a cluster of close contacts on board the vessel. Abdirahman Sheikh Mahamud, who heads the WHO’s emergency alert and response operations, said the organization believes the outbreak can remain limited if countries continue implementing strict monitoring and containment measures.
“We don’t anticipate a large epidemic,” Mahamud said, adding that the nature of the virus and the response by member states reduce the risk of widespread transmission.
What Is Hantavirus?
Hantavirus is a rare but potentially deadly zoonotic disease transmitted primarily from rodents to humans. People can become infected through exposure to rodent saliva, urine or droppings. Symptoms usually appear between one and eight weeks after exposure and commonly include fever, headaches, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting and abdominal discomfort.
In severe cases, the infection can lead to respiratory failure, kidney complications and death.
The WHO says there is currently no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for hantavirus. However, early medical intervention and supportive care can significantly improve survival chances.
The strain detected aboard the MV Hondius is believed to be the Andes hantavirus, a rare variant known for limited human-to-human transmission, particularly among close contacts.
Cruise Ship at Centre of International Concern
Investigators believe one passenger may have boarded the ship while already infected, allowing the virus to spread during the transatlantic voyage.
The first reported fatalities were a Dutch couple who had travelled through South America before joining the cruise in Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1. A German passenger later died on May 2.
Several passengers showing suspected symptoms have since been evacuated or isolated in countries including the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and South Africa.
The ship’s operator said no additional symptomatic cases were currently reported on board, though authorities remain cautious because the virus has a long incubation period.
The vessel is now sailing toward Spain’s Canary Islands and is expected to arrive there on Sunday.
WHO Monitoring Global Risk
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus confirmed that five cases and three suspected infections had been identified so far, including the three deaths.
“Given the incubation period of the Andes virus, which can be up to six weeks, it is possible that more cases may be reported,” he said.
Health officials have informed at least 12 countries after passengers disembarked at Saint Helena in the South Atlantic during the voyage.
Authorities in Argentina are also attempting to determine the origin of the outbreak. Officials are reportedly planning rodent testing in Ushuaia, the city where the cruise began.
Different From Covid-19
WHO infectious disease expert Maria Van Kerkhove stressed that hantavirus spreads very differently from Covid-19 or influenza.
She noted that transmission generally requires prolonged and close contact, making widespread community transmission far less likely than airborne respiratory viruses such as SARS-CoV-2.
Public health experts say continued surveillance, contact tracing and isolation measures will be essential over the coming weeks as authorities monitor for additional infections linked to the cruise ship outbreak.
Social Footer