Suspected Hantavirus outbreak on Atlantic cruise ship; Netherlands agrees to arrange patient evacuation
A suspected Hantavirus outbreak on the Dutch Oceanwide Expeditions' cruise ship 'MV Hondius' has led to 3 deaths. With two patients currently in critical condition aboard, the Dutch authorities are considering arranging medical evacuation for them.
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- 📰 Published: May 4, 2026 at 19:55
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, The Hague, 4th, comprehensive foreign report) A suspected Hantavirus outbreak has occurred on the 'MV Hondius' cruise ship, operated by the Dutch Oceanwide Expeditions company, with 3 deaths reported so far. The company stated today that Dutch authorities will try to arrange for the evacuation of two patients on board.
Agence France-Presse reported that Oceanwide Expeditions issued its first statement on the crisis, confirming it is dealing with a "serious medical situation" on the MV Hondius.
The cruise ship departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, en route to Cape Verde, an island nation in the Atlantic.
The company confirmed 3 deaths, with 2 occurring on board and one after disembarkation. The statement also noted that one passenger is currently in intensive care in Johannesburg, South Africa, and two others "urgently require medical care."
The company also stated, "Dutch authorities have agreed to take the lead in arranging the transfer of two symptomatic individuals from the MV Hondius in Cape Verde back to the Netherlands," but this action depends on several factors, including approval from local Cape Verdean officials.
The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement to Agence France-Presse, said it is actively assessing the possibility of medical evacuation for a small number of people on board. "If possible, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will coordinate."
The cruise ship is currently anchored off Cape Verde. Local doctors have gone to assess the condition of the two sick passengers, but they have not yet been granted permission to go ashore.
Oceanwide Expeditions stated: "All passenger disembarkation and medical screening operations require coordination with local health authorities, and we are in close consultation with them."
The company also pointed out that the passenger currently in intensive care in Johannesburg has been confirmed with Hantavirus. However, it has not yet been confirmed whether all 3 deaths were caused by Hantavirus; the two symptomatic passengers remaining on board have also not yet been confirmed with Hantavirus.
Hantavirus can be transmitted through airborne particles from rodent excrement and urine, for example, when someone cleans a shed infested with rats. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that human-to-human transmission is rare.
Symptoms initially resemble influenza, then can lead to heart and lung failure. According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 40% of cases result in death. (Compiler: Yang Chao-Yen) 1150504
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(Central News Agency, The Hague, 4th, comprehensive foreign report) A suspected Hantavirus outbreak has occurred on the 'MV Hondius' cruise ship, operated by the Dutch Oceanwide Expeditions company, with 3 deaths reported so far. The company stated today that Dutch authorities will try to arrange for the evacuation of two patients on board.
Agence France-Presse reported that Oceanwide Expeditions issued its first statement on the crisis, confirming it is dealing with a "serious medical situation" on the MV Hondius.
The cruise ship departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, en route to Cape Verde, an island nation in the Atlantic.
The company confirmed 3 deaths, with 2 occurring on board and one after disembarkation. The statement also noted that one passenger is currently in intensive care in Johannesburg, South Africa, and two others "urgently require medical care."
The company also stated, "Dutch authorities have agreed to take the lead in arranging the transfer of two symptomatic individuals from the MV Hondius in Cape Verde back to the Netherlands," but this action depends on several factors, including approval from local Cape Verdean officials.
The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement to Agence France-Presse, said it is actively assessing the possibility of medical evacuation for a small number of people on board. "If possible, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will coordinate."
The cruise ship is currently anchored off Cape Verde. Local doctors have gone to assess the condition of the two sick passengers, but they have not yet been granted permission to go ashore.
Oceanwide Expeditions stated: "All passenger disembarkation and medical screening operations require coordination with local health authorities, and we are in close consultation with them."
The company also pointed out that the passenger currently in intensive care in Johannesburg has been confirmed with Hantavirus. However, it has not yet been confirmed whether all 3 deaths were caused by Hantavirus; the two symptomatic passengers remaining on board have also not yet been confirmed with Hantavirus.
Hantavirus can be transmitted through airborne particles from rodent excrement and urine, for example, when someone cleans a shed infested with rats. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that human-to-human transmission is rare.
Symptoms initially resemble influenza, then can lead to heart and lung failure. According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 40% of cases result in death. (Compiler: Yang Chao-Yen) 1150504
Choose to stand with the facts. Every sponsorship you give is a force to protect press freedom.
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The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.