Three Dead in Suspected Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship Near West Africa

A suspected outbreak of hantavirus aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean has left three people dead and three others sick, with one passenger currently in intensive care in South Africa, according to the World Health Organization.

The Netherlands-based cruise ship, which departed from Argentina approximately three weeks ago and reportedly stopped in Antarctica and other locations, is now anchored off the coast of Cape Verde. The vessel attempted to dock there this morning but was denied entry due to safety concerns.

The World Health Organization confirmed in a statement that one case of hantavirus infection has been laboratory confirmed, with five additional suspected cases. Among the six affected individuals, three have died. Detailed investigations, further laboratory testing, and epidemiological investigations are ongoing, the WHO said.

“Sequencing of the virus is also ongoing,” the WHO statement read. “Hantavirus infections are typically linked to environmental exposure to infected rodents, urine, or feces. While rare, hantavirus may spread between people and can lead to severe respiratory illness and requires careful patient monitoring, support, and response.”

The WHO added that it is facilitating coordination between member states and the ship’s operators for medical evacuation of two symptomatic passengers, as well as a full public health risk assessment and support for remaining passengers.

Infectious disease expert Dr. Peter Chin-Hong explained that hantavirus is typically spread by rats through their urine, feces, and secretions. People usually become infected when exposed to rat droppings in poorly ventilated spaces, inhaling aerosolized particles.

“In the new world, it can have up to 40% fatality rate,” Dr. Chin-Hong said. “It starts off with flu-like symptoms and then essentially your blood vessels in the lungs get very leaky. It’s almost like your lungs get filled with fluid and it’s like you’re drowning. That’s what happens and that’s why people die.”

When asked about the unique risks of an outbreak on a cruise ship, Dr. Chin-Hong noted that while most hantavirus transmission comes from rodent droppings, one type prevalent in southern Argentina and Chile — the Andes virus — has been responsible for human-to-human transmission.

“Either people got it from rat droppings or people are worried that this is the type of hantavirus that can spread from human to human,” he said. “That’s why it poses a very unique risk to these people.”

On the cruise ship, measures similar to early COVID-19 responses are needed, including isolating symptomatic individuals and daily symptom checks. Crew members should also ensure there are no remaining rats on board and clean droppings carefully without sweeping, wearing masks.

The incubation period for hantavirus can be up to six weeks, meaning some passengers who appear healthy may later develop symptoms.

Dr. Chin-Hong noted that Cape Verde lacks significant hospital capacity and has never reported hantavirus before, making authorities wary of introducing the virus into that environment.

For the general public, however, the risk remains very low.

“It’s not easy to spread like COVID or even flu and definitely not like measles,” Dr. Chin-Hong said. “You really need to be in an enclosed space.”

He cited a known person-to-person outbreak in southern Argentina involving 34 cases and 11 deaths, with three super-spreaders who transmitted the disease through very close contacts, including sexual contact or enclosed events with many people.

About 150 passengers were on board the vessel. Medical care and support are being provided to passengers and crew. The WHO has informed its national focal points according to international health regulations and said a disease outbreak news for the public will be issued.