Health authorities across several countries are scrambling to trace passengers who travelled aboard the luxury cruise ship MV Hondius after a deadly outbreak of hantavirus left at least three people dead and several others infected.

The outbreak, confirmed by the World Health Organization, has triggered an international public health response involving multiple governments as officials attempt to monitor passengers and close contacts scattered across the globe.

Five confirmed cases have so far been linked to the Dutch expedition vessel, with fears that more infections could emerge because the virus can incubate for up to six weeks before symptoms appear.

Despite growing concern, the WHO stressed that the situation is not comparable to the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, explaining that the Andes strain of hantavirus spreads mainly through close and intimate human contact rather than airborne community transmission.


Cruise Journey Turns Into International Health Alert

The MV Hondius, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, began its voyage on 1 April from Ushuaia in southern Argentina and was scheduled to arrive in Canary Islands on 10 May.

Around 150 passengers and crew members from 28 countries were initially onboard. However, dozens disembarked at Saint Helena on 24 April before the outbreak was formally detected.

That movement of passengers has complicated international tracing efforts, with officials now monitoring travellers who may have unknowingly carried the virus back to their home countries.

The WHO said it is currently coordinating with health authorities in at least 12 nations, including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Singapore and South Africa.


Three Deaths Linked to Outbreak

Among the dead are two Dutch nationals — a husband and wife — and a German passenger.

The Dutch woman reportedly died in Johannesburg after testing positive for the virus, while her husband had earlier died aboard the ship.

A German woman also died after developing fever and pneumonia-like symptoms during the voyage.

Officials confirmed that another infected passenger, identified as British national Martin Anstee, remains hospitalised in the Netherlands after being evacuated from the ship. Another British passenger is reportedly in intensive care in South Africa.


UK Monitoring Several Possible Cases

British health officials are closely monitoring multiple nationals connected to the voyage.

Seven Britons reportedly disembarked in Saint Helena before the outbreak announcement, while others remained on remote islands in the South Atlantic.

Two British citizens have voluntarily self-isolated at home in the UK after potential exposure, although they are not showing symptoms.

One patient is currently on Tristan da Cunha, one of the world’s most isolated inhabited islands.


US and Europe Intensify Monitoring

In the United States, health agencies in several states — including Texas, Georgia and California — are tracking former passengers.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has activated a Level 3 emergency response, though officials say the overall risk to the wider public remains low.

In France, authorities identified eight people who had contact with the Dutch woman who later died in Johannesburg. One individual has reportedly developed mild symptoms and is awaiting test results.

Meanwhile, Swiss authorities confirmed that a passenger who disembarked in Saint Helena tested positive for the Andes strain of hantavirus and is receiving treatment in Zurich.


Questions Over Source of Infection

Investigators are still trying to determine where the outbreak began.

Before boarding the cruise ship, the infected Dutch couple had reportedly travelled through Argentina, Chile and Uruguay on a bird-watching expedition in areas inhabited by rodents known to carry the Andes strain of hantavirus.

The Argentine government is now investigating whether the infections may have originated there.

Hantavirus is usually spread through exposure to rodent urine, saliva or droppings, particularly when contaminated particles become airborne and are inhaled.


Tension Over Ship’s Arrival in Spain

The outbreak also caused diplomatic and public health tensions after the ship was denied permission to dock in Cape Verde earlier this week.

The vessel later resumed its journey toward the Canary Islands, where Spanish authorities agreed to receive it for medical screening.

However, the decision has sparked opposition from Canary Islands regional president Fernando Clavijo, who said local officials had not been given sufficient information.

Residents in Tenerife have also expressed concern about the ship’s arrival, fearing possible exposure to the virus.

Spanish health authorities have already identified a suspected case in Alicante involving a passenger who shared a flight with one of the deceased patients.

Once the ship docks, all remaining passengers are expected to undergo medical assessment before being allowed to travel home. Spanish nationals onboard are expected to be quarantined in a military hospital in Madrid.


WHO Says Public Risk Remains Low

While experts acknowledge that the response has at times appeared “chaotic and uncoordinated,” health authorities insist the likelihood of a large-scale global outbreak remains limited.

The WHO maintains that the virus does not spread easily through casual contact, reducing the risk of widespread transmission.

Still, with passengers already dispersed across continents and the incubation period extending up to six weeks, global health agencies remain on high alert as they race to prevent further infections.