Health officials across multiple countries, including the U.S., are monitoring a hantavirus outbreak linked to the expedition cruise ship MV Hondius after several deaths and confirmed infections were reported among passengers and crew.
The outbreak has resulted in at least three deaths and multiple confirmed or suspected infections tied to the vessel, which traveled through South America and the South Atlantic before authorities identified the virus.
The virus involved in the outbreak is believed to be the Andes strain of hantavirus, a rare version capable of limited person-to-person transmission. Health agencies have described the overall risk to the public as low.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classified the situation as a “Level 3” emergency response, the lowest level within the agency’s emergency activation system.
The US State Department said it is arranging a repatriation flight for 17 Americans aboard the ship as it travels toward Tenerife, Spain. Officials said they remain in contact with passengers, crew members and international health authorities.
Authorities in several countries have begun tracing passengers who left the ship before the outbreak was confirmed. Travelers from the US, United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore and Switzerland are among those being monitored.
According to reports, some passengers disembarked on Saint Helena before isolation measures were implemented. Health agencies are now attempting to identify potential contacts due to the virus’s incubation period, which can last several weeks.
The World Health Organization has coordinated with European and national health agencies as the ship continues toward the Canary Islands. Officials are preparing controlled disembarkation procedures for passengers and crew.
Cape Verde authorities previously denied the vessel permission to dock because of concerns about spreading the virus. Several critically ill passengers were evacuated for medical treatment during the voyage.
Health officials said hantavirus is typically spread through exposure to infected rodent urine, saliva or droppings. Investigators are still working to determine the precise source of exposure linked to the cruise, per USA TODAY.
The outbreak has prompted concerns because Andes hantavirus differs from most hantavirus strains by allowing limited human-to-human transmission under certain conditions.
Authorities said no widespread community transmission has been detected. The WHO has stated it does not expect the outbreak to develop into a global epidemic or pandemic scenario.
The outbreak has also renewed public attention on hantavirus after the 2025 death of Betsy Arakawa, wife of actor Gene Hackman, whose death was linked to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
Officials said US state health departments are monitoring returning American passengers, though no individuals in the US are currently showing symptoms connected to the outbreak.
Investigations into the outbreak remain ongoing as international health agencies continue monitoring passengers, crew members and possible secondary exposures connected to the voyage.
