TOPSHOT – This aerial picture shows a general view of the cruise ship MV Hondius stationary off the port of Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, on May 3, 2026. An outbreak of “severe acute respiratory illness” on board a cruise ship in the Atlantic has left two people dead and a third in intensive care in Johannesburg, South Africa’s health ministry told AFP on May 3, 2026. The outbreak occurred on the MV Hondius, travelling from Ushuaia in Argentina to Cape Verde. The patient being treated in Johannesburg tested positive for a hantavirus, a family of viruses that can cause hemorrhagic fever, South African spokesperson Foster Mohale said. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty Images
An outbreak of hantavirus on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean has resulted in three deaths and the identification of eight cases (five confirmed and three suspected).
This outbreak has drawn attention due to the severity and rarity of the disease. The strain involved is the Andes strain, which is unique as the only hantavirus type that transmits from person to person. Most hantavirus cases are typically contracted through direct contact with infected rodents rather than human-to-human transmission.
The World Health Organization is leading a global effort to contain the virus and reduce risks. The organization assesses the risk to the global population from this outbreak as low, according to the World Health Organization.
Current State Of Passengers
Over 100 passengers on the ship are expected to disembark in the Canary Islands this weekend for medical evaluation. They will undergo testing and monitoring for symptoms, with some potentially needing isolation or quarantine. U.S. passengers will be evacuated on a U.S. government flight, coordinated by the State Department, to a quarantine center in Nebraska for further assessment and possible isolation.
Previously, more than 24 passengers disembarked on the island of Saint Helena on April 24 and traveled to various countries, including the United States. In the U.S., state departments are tracking these individuals to monitor symptoms and determine if additional medical care is necessary. Some monitoring is being conducted through self-assessments by the passengers.
How Hantavirus Differs From COVID-19
COVID-19 became a pandemic due to its high transmissibility as an airborne virus, spreading through aerosol particles. In contrast, hantavirus requires prolonged contact for transmission and is not as easily spread, making it less transmissible than COVID-19.
There is no evidence currently suggesting that the Andes variant of hantavirus can rapidly mutate to evade the immune system, limiting its potential to cause a pandemic. COVID-19, however, was able to mutate quickly, enhancing its ability to infect human cells.
Additionally, COVID-19 was novel in 2020, and the human population had low immunity, facilitating its rapid spread. The Andes variant of hantavirus has been present since 1995, providing some level of immunity within the global population.
The U.S. Response To Hantavirus
The United States plans to transport all remaining U.S. passengers aboard the cruise to a quarantine center in Nebraska. The CDC, on X, announced, “Dr. Jay Bhattacharya: I want to assure the American public that CDC is diligently working to keep you safe and informed about #Hantavirus. We continue to work with international partners and have delivered guidance to impacted states regarding returning passengers. Additionally, CDC held a call with all 50 state health officials to provide recommendations and ensure preparedness.”
Despite these efforts, no major press briefing has been held to inform the public about the hantavirus or what to expect for those being transported to Nebraska. Additionally, last month, the Department of Health and Human Services laid off all full-time federal employees responsible for cruise ship health inspections, leaving only 12 employees for this task. The U.S. also officially withdrew from the World Health Organization earlier this year, reducing its role in global health coordination.
Public health relies on international cooperation and investments in science, technology, and innovation. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of trust and transparent communication for informed health decisions.
