Health authorities are racing to trace contacts linked to a suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard the expedition vessel MV Hondius after three deaths and multiple infections were reported, according to CNN.
The World Health Organization said eight cases have now been identified, including three confirmed infections tied to the Andes strain of hantavirus, which can spread through limited human-to-human contact. Three passengers have died, while several others remain hospitalized or under observation.
South Africa confirms rare human-to-human Andes hantavirus case from Atlantic cruise ship, as WHO and health officials trace contacts and assess global risk.https://t.co/sm4qcshcRE pic.twitter.com/zxQqFTQUzZ
— Gulf News (@gulf_news) May 6, 2026
The ship is currently anchored near Cape Verde with nearly 150 people still onboard. Officials are debating whether the vessel should dock in Spain’s Canary Islands. Regional leaders in the Canaries demanded more information from Madrid before allowing the ship to arrive.
WHO officials stressed that the outbreak does not pose a broad public health threat. Contact tracing efforts are underway involving airline passengers, cruise travelers, and close contacts of those infected.
The report said authorities believe the outbreak may have originated during earlier stops in Argentina or remote wildlife areas visited during the expedition.
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