Deadly hantavirus outbreak traps 150 on cruise ship as WHO identifies more cases

A hantavirus outbreak tied to a cruise ship off Cabo Verde has grown to seven cases, including two confirmed infections, the World Health Organization said on Monday, with three deaths among those linked to the voyage.

The Dutch-flagged MV Hondius is carrying 147 passengers and crew from 23 countries. Among the passengers are 17 Americans, 19 Britons and 13 from Spain. Sixty-one crew members are also on board.

Of the seven cases identified, one British passenger in intensive care in Johannesburg was later confirmed to have hantavirus. A Dutch passenger who died after disembarking in the British Overseas Territory of Saint Helena also tested positive. She had left the ship with the remains of her husband, who died on board in April.

Three additional suspected cases with mild symptoms remained on board, the WHO said. The cause of death of a German passenger who died on May 2 has not been established.

Hantavirus is a rare infection typically spread through exposure to infected urine, saliva and droppings from rodents. In severe cases it can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which can progress rapidly to respiratory failure and shock.

Two crew members – one with mild symptoms and one severe – require urgent medical care, Oceanwide Expeditions BV, the Dutch operator of the MV Hondius, said late Monday, adding that no other symptomatic cases had been identified.