Cruise Ship Hantavirus Outbreak: South Africa Confirms Andes Strain Detected
Three deaths were reported in a hantavirus outbreak on the Dutch cruise ship 'MV Hondius'. The South African Ministry of Health confirmed today in a report to Parliament that hantavirus, specifically the human-transmissible 'Andes strain,' was detected in two passengers.
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- 📰 Published: May 6, 2026 at 16:53
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JOHANNESBURG (Central News Agency, May 6, 2026, foreign wire service) - A hantavirus outbreak recently occurred on the Dutch cruise ship 'MV Hondius,' resulting in three deaths. The South African Ministry of Health confirmed today in a report submitted to Parliament that hantavirus was detected in two passengers, and it was identified as the 'Andes strain,' which is transmissible between humans.
Reuters reported that the Dutch Oceanwide Expeditions' 'MV Hondius' was granted permission today to dock in the Canary Islands, Spain, and is currently preparing to depart from Cape Verde for Europe.
The report obtained by Reuters indicates that laboratory tests by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) in South Africa confirmed that two patients who fell ill on board were infected with the 'Andes strain' of hantavirus. One of the individuals was a Dutch woman who recently passed away, while the other, a British male patient, is currently receiving treatment in a hospital.
The report noted: "This is currently the only known hantavirus strain that can be transmitted from person to person, but such transmission is extremely rare, and as previously stated, only occurs under extremely close contact."
Other types of hantavirus are typically acquired by humans through contact with the urine, feces, or saliva of infected rodents such as rats. (Translated by Chang Ming-hsuan) 1150506
Reuters reported that the Dutch Oceanwide Expeditions' 'MV Hondius' was granted permission today to dock in the Canary Islands, Spain, and is currently preparing to depart from Cape Verde for Europe.
The report obtained by Reuters indicates that laboratory tests by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) in South Africa confirmed that two patients who fell ill on board were infected with the 'Andes strain' of hantavirus. One of the individuals was a Dutch woman who recently passed away, while the other, a British male patient, is currently receiving treatment in a hospital.
The report noted: "This is currently the only known hantavirus strain that can be transmitted from person to person, but such transmission is extremely rare, and as previously stated, only occurs under extremely close contact."
Other types of hantavirus are typically acquired by humans through contact with the urine, feces, or saliva of infected rodents such as rats. (Translated by Chang Ming-hsuan) 1150506