Cruise Ship Suspected Hantavirus Causes 3 Deaths; Japanese Expert: Fatality Rates Vary Greatly by Type
A Hantavirus outbreak on the Dutch cruise ship "Hondius" has resulted in 3 passenger deaths, with one Japanese national among the approximately 150 passengers. A Japanese expert noted that Hantavirus fatality rates vary significantly by type, ranging from 10-20% for kidney-affecting types to 30-50% for lung-affecting types.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 5, 2026 at 21:45
- 🔍 Collected: May 5, 2026 at 22:01 (16 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 5, 2026 at 22:07 (5 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Dai Ya-chen, Tokyo, May 5th) The Dutch cruise ship "Hondius" has reported Hantavirus cases, causing 3 passenger deaths. The latest news indicates that one of the approximately 150 passengers is Japanese; a Japanese expert stated that according to literature, if it is the kidney-affecting type, the fatality rate is about 10% to 20%; if it affects the pulmonary respiratory system, the fatality rate can reach 30% to 50%.
FNN reported that according to the cruise operator, the ship departed from Argentina, passed through Antarctica, and was originally scheduled to head to the waters off West Africa. Suspected infection cases gradually appeared during the voyage. As of now, a total of 7 people are suspected of infection, of whom 2 have been confirmed positive, and the remaining cases are still awaiting confirmation.
Among the 7 suspected infected individuals, 3 passengers have died, another 1 is receiving treatment in South Africa, 2 crew members are isolated on board, and the identity of the remaining 1 as a passenger or crew member has not yet been clarified.
The cruise ship has now arrived off the coast of Cape Verde, a West African island nation, but the local government revoked the original port call permit, citing "protection of national security," causing the ship to be stranded at sea.
A man on board spoke out, saying, "I am now on this ship with infected people, and all of this is really happening. What I want most now is safety, truth, and to be able to go home."
Hantavirus is mainly transmitted through contact with infected rodent excreta or inhalation of virus-containing dust. Initial symptoms include fever and headache, and in severe cases, it can lead to organ damage. Dr. Takeshi Terashima, a specialist from the Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases, stated that according to literature, if it is the kidney-affecting type, the fatality rate is about 10% to 20%; if it affects the pulmonary respiratory system, the fatality rate can reach 30% to 50%.
As for whether it will spread outside the ship, the World Health Organization (WHO) pointed out that human-to-human transmission of Hantavirus is extremely rare, and it is unlikely that the infection will spread outside the ship.
Dr. Takeshi Terashima stated that compared to the COVID-19 (2019 novel coronavirus) virus, the transmissibility of Hantavirus is relatively low. (Editor: Tang Pei-chun) 1150505
Stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to get the latest news in real-time.
Text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.
(Central News Agency reporter Dai Ya-chen, Tokyo, May 5th) The Dutch cruise ship "Hondius" has reported Hantavirus cases, causing 3 passenger deaths. The latest news indicates that one of the approximately 150 passengers is Japanese; a Japanese expert stated that according to literature, if it is the kidney-affecting type, the fatality rate is about 10% to 20%; if it affects the pulmonary respiratory system, the fatality rate can reach 30% to 50%.
FNN reported that according to the cruise operator, the ship departed from Argentina, passed through Antarctica, and was originally scheduled to head to the waters off West Africa. Suspected infection cases gradually appeared during the voyage. As of now, a total of 7 people are suspected of infection, of whom 2 have been confirmed positive, and the remaining cases are still awaiting confirmation.
Among the 7 suspected infected individuals, 3 passengers have died, another 1 is receiving treatment in South Africa, 2 crew members are isolated on board, and the identity of the remaining 1 as a passenger or crew member has not yet been clarified.
The cruise ship has now arrived off the coast of Cape Verde, a West African island nation, but the local government revoked the original port call permit, citing "protection of national security," causing the ship to be stranded at sea.
A man on board spoke out, saying, "I am now on this ship with infected people, and all of this is really happening. What I want most now is safety, truth, and to be able to go home."
Hantavirus is mainly transmitted through contact with infected rodent excreta or inhalation of virus-containing dust. Initial symptoms include fever and headache, and in severe cases, it can lead to organ damage. Dr. Takeshi Terashima, a specialist from the Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases, stated that according to literature, if it is the kidney-affecting type, the fatality rate is about 10% to 20%; if it affects the pulmonary respiratory system, the fatality rate can reach 30% to 50%.
As for whether it will spread outside the ship, the World Health Organization (WHO) pointed out that human-to-human transmission of Hantavirus is extremely rare, and it is unlikely that the infection will spread outside the ship.
Dr. Takeshi Terashima stated that compared to the COVID-19 (2019 novel coronavirus) virus, the transmissibility of Hantavirus is relatively low. (Editor: Tang Pei-chun) 1150505
Stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to get the latest news in real-time.
Text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.