By Ayomide Otitoju
The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed eight cases of hantavirus infection, including three deaths, in an outbreak linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius.
In an update released Saturday, the UN health agency said the figures, as of Friday, May 8, 2026, represent an increase from the seven cases previously reported.
“As of 8 May, a total of 8 cases, including 3 deaths, have been reported,” the WHO said.
The organisation noted that six cases have been confirmed as Andes virus infections, while one previously suspected case has tested negative and been reclassified as non-infected after laboratory analysis.
Four patients remain hospitalised.
Hantaviruses are zoonotic diseases transmitted from rodents to humans, with limited human-to-human transmission reported in rare strains such as Andes virus.
The outbreak occurred during a cruise from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Cape Verde, with illness onset recorded between April 6 and April 28, 2026. Symptoms reported include fever, gastrointestinal illness, pneumonia, and acute respiratory distress syndrome.
WHO said epidemiological investigations are ongoing to determine the source of exposure, while experts from WHO and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control are currently assisting onboard the vessel.
The MV Hondius, carrying 147 passengers from 23 nationalities, has drawn international attention as authorities coordinate response efforts across multiple countries, including the United States, Spain, South Africa, and Saint Helena.
The United States State Department said it is arranging a repatriation flight for American passengers currently in the Canary Islands, while confirming coordination with Spanish authorities and other agencies.
According to WHO, 75 contacts have been identified in South Africa, with 42 already traced and placed under monitoring.
The agency said the global risk remains “low” but stressed continued vigilance, noting that early detection, isolation of suspected cases, and infection control measures remain essential to containing the outbreak.
