WHO Traces Flight Passengers After Deadly Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship

WHO is tracing passengers from a flight after a cruise ship passenger died of hantavirus. The outbreak on the ship Hondius has killed three people, with more cases confirmed and suspected. About 150 passengers remain on board near Cabo Verde as health officials monitor the situation, saying the public risk is low.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has begun tracing passengers who were on a flight between Saint Helena and Johannesburg after a cruise ship passenger later died of hantavirus. The woman, a Dutch national, had disembarked from the cruise ship Hondius on April 24 while experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms. During the flight to South Africa, her condition worsened significantly, and she died two days later on April 26. Health authorities are now working to identify and monitor those who may have been in contact with her during the journey.
The case is part of a broader outbreak linked to the Hondius, a luxury expedition cruise ship currently being held off the coast of Cabo Verde as a precaution. The vessel had been on a long voyage that began in Ushuaia, Argentina, in March and included stops at some of the most remote locations in the South Atlantic. Around 150 passengers and crew remain on board while authorities assess the situation and determine safe next steps.
According to the WHO, two cases of hantavirus have been confirmed among individuals linked to the ship, while five additional cases are suspected. The outbreak has already resulted in three deaths, including the Dutch woman, her husband, and a German national. A British passenger who fell seriously ill has been medically evacuated and is currently receiving treatment in South Africa, where officials have confirmed he tested positive for the virus.
The first fatality, the Dutch man, died earlier in the voyage on April 11 while the ship was travelling toward Tristan da Cunha. His body remained on board for nearly two weeks before being disembarked at Saint Helena on April 24, accompanied by his wife, who later became ill and died. The timeline of events has raised concerns among health authorities about potential exposure among passengers during different stages of the journey.
The WHO has emphasised that the overall risk to the wider public remains low. Hantavirus is typically transmitted through contact with infected rodents or their droppings, urine, or saliva, and human-to-human transmission is considered extremely rare. However, the agency is taking precautionary measures, including contact tracing and monitoring, to ensure that any potential spread is quickly contained.
Oceanwide Expeditions, the company operating the Hondius, said that the situation on board remains calm, with passengers generally composed despite the circumstances. The company is working with health authorities to conduct medical screenings and is exploring options for disembarking passengers safely. Possible destinations being considered include ports in Spain, such as Las Palmas or Tenerife.
Cabo Verde has requested that the ship remain at sea for the time being as a precautionary measure, reflecting concerns about introducing the virus to the local population. Meanwhile, international health agencies continue to coordinate efforts to manage the outbreak, monitor affected individuals, and prevent further transmission.
The incident has drawn attention due to the ship’s itinerary, which included visits to extremely remote islands such as Tristan da Cunha, where access to advanced medical facilities is limited. As investigations continue, authorities are focusing on determining how the virus was contracted and whether additional cases may emerge among passengers or crew.