Three Dead After Disease Outbreak on Cruise Ship MV Hondius in Atlantic Ocean

An outbreak of a severe respiratory illness on the cruise ship MV Hondius has killed three people and left others sick while sailing in the Atlantic Ocean. Health authorities said at least one case tested positive for hantavirus, a rare rodent-linked disease. Two elderly passengers died, and another is in intensive care in South Africa. The WHO and other agencies are investigating and monitoring the situation.

An outbreak of a severe acute respiratory illness aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius in the Atlantic Ocean has killed three people and sickened at least three others, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and South Africa’s Department of Health. The vessel, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, was en route from Ushuaia in Argentina to Praia in Cape Verde when passengers began reporting serious symptoms consistent with a rapidly developing infectious disease.
The ship was carrying around 170 passengers and 70 crew members at the time of the incident. Health authorities said the outbreak became apparent after the vessel passed through remote and sparsely populated areas of the South Atlantic, including near South Georgia and Saint Helena, making evacuation and medical response more complicated. Once the severity of the illness was recognised, emergency procedures were activated and coordinated with international health agencies and regional authorities.
One of the confirmed fatalities was a 70-year-old passenger who developed symptoms while still on board the vessel and later died during the voyage. Due to the ship’s location at the time of his death, his body was reportedly left on Saint Helena in line with emergency handling procedures. His 69-year-old wife also became ill shortly afterwards and was evacuated to Johannesburg, South Africa, for urgent medical treatment, but she later died in hospital despite intensive care support. Authorities have not yet confirmed the nationality of the couple as investigations continue.
A third seriously ill patient, a 69-year-old British national, was also evacuated to Johannesburg and is currently being treated in intensive care. South African health officials confirmed that at least one of the patients tested positive for hantavirus, a rare but potentially severe disease. Another infected patient is also believed to be in critical condition in hospital, while additional cases are still being monitored.
Hantavirus infections are typically associated with exposure to infected rodents or their droppings, urine, or saliva. The virus is known to cause serious respiratory illness and, in some cases, haemorrhagic complications. According to health experts, human-to-human transmission is extremely rare, and most infections occur in environments where rodent contamination is present. Early symptoms often resemble flu-like illness, including fever, fatigue, and muscle aches, but can quickly progress to severe respiratory distress in serious cases.
The World Health Organization said it is actively monitoring the situation and working with South African health authorities and other international partners to investigate the source of the outbreak. The agency confirmed that a coordinated public health response is underway, including efforts to trace potential exposure routes and assess risks to remaining passengers and crew members on board the vessel.
Cruise ship tracking data indicated that the MV Hondius was near Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, on Sunday as authorities continued to monitor the situation. Emergency protocols remain in place, with health teams evaluating whether further evacuations or quarantine measures may be necessary depending on ongoing test results and patient conditions.
Health officials have stressed that while hantavirus outbreaks are rare, they can be severe and require rapid medical intervention. The unusual nature of the outbreak occurring at sea has added complexity to the response, particularly given the ship’s remote route and limited access to immediate advanced healthcare during the early stages of the illness.
Investigations are continuing to determine exactly how the outbreak began, whether rodent exposure occurred on board or at a previous port of call, and whether any additional cases may emerge among passengers or crew as monitoring continues.