Rare Human-to-Human Hantavirus Transmission Suspected in Deadly Cruise Ship Outbreak
A suspected outbreak of the deadly, rat-borne hantavirus has claimed the lives of three passengers and sickened at least seven others aboard the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius.
As the luxury expedition vessel remains stranded off the coast of Cape Verde, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a startling update: the virus may be spreading directly between passengers—an incredibly rare phenomenon.
The WHO Warning: Rare Human Transmission
Hantavirus is typically contracted when humans inhale airborne particles from the dried droppings, urine, or saliva of infected rodents. Human-to-human transmission is extraordinarily rare, with only a few suggested cases previously recorded in Argentina and Chile.
However, because several infected patients on the MV Hondius had “very close contact with each other,” the WHO is shifting its protocols.
“Certainly, human-to-human transmission can’t be ruled out, so, as a precaution, this is what we are assuming,” stated Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO’s director for epidemic preparedness. She was quick to add a reassuring caveat for the general public: “This is not a virus that spreads like flu or like Covid. It’s quite different. The risk to the general public is low.”
Three people have died so far from the rare rat-borne virus on the Dutch-flagged vessel, which set off in March to sail from Ushuaia in Argentina to Cape Verde
A Timeline of the MV Hondius Tragedy
The MV Hondius, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, departed Ushuaia, Argentina, in March with roughly 150 passengers and crew, heading toward Cape Verde. The crisis unfolded over several weeks:
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April 11: A 70-year-old Dutch passenger dies as the ship sails toward Tristan da Cunha. His body remained on board for nearly two weeks until he was disembarked in St. Helena on April 24, accompanied by his 69-year-old wife.
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Late April: Three days after disembarking, the man’s wife falls severely ill and subsequently dies. Meanwhile, another passenger (a 69-year-old Briton) becomes critically ill, is evacuated to a South African hospital, and officially tests positive for hantavirus.
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May 2: A third passenger, a German national, dies on board the ship.
Currently, two crew members—including the ship’s British doctor, who had been treating patients around the clock—are suffering from acute respiratory symptoms and require urgent medical evacuation.
Speaking aboard the MV Hondius ship, US travel blogger Jake Rosmarin released a tearful plea for support
Inside the Quarantined Ship
The MV Hondius is currently in a state of limbo, stranded at the Port of Praia after Cape Verde health authorities refused docking authorization.
Jake Rosmarin, a US travel blogger from Boston trapped on board, posted a tearful video to his 44,000 Instagram followers highlighting the emotional toll on the passengers.
“We’re not just a story, we’re not just headlines, we’re people. People with families, with lives, with people waiting for us at home. There’s a lot of uncertainty, and that’s the hardest part. All we want right now is to feel safe, to have clarity, and to get home.”
Authorities are actively drawing up plans to evacuate the sick using specialized aircraft. While the ship is considering sailing to Las Palmas or Tenerife for WHO-supervised medical screening, Spanish authorities note that no definitive evacuation plan has been approved yet.
🩺 Fact File: What is Hantavirus?
Hantavirus is a severe and rare respiratory disease. In the United States, only a handful of cases are recorded annually, and roughly 1,000 infections have been registered globally over the last three decades.
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Incubation Period: Symptoms often strike anywhere from one to eight weeks after initial exposure.
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Early Symptoms: The infection typically begins with fever, severe muscle aches, fatigue, and gastrointestinal issues.
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Severe Progression: The virus can cause blood vessels to leak, filling the lungs with fluid and causing severe pneumonia and respiratory failure.
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Mortality Rate: According to the CDC, approximately 35% of infected patients die from the disease. There is currently no specific treatment, cure, or vaccine.
