The World Health Organization confirmed two hantavirus cases and five suspected infections aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship, with three fatalities, as the vessel remains under lockdown near Cape Verde. The deaths include a Dutch couple and a German national, while a British passenger was evacuated to a South African intensive care unit.

The MV Hondius departed southern Argentina on April 1, 2026. A 70-year-old Dutch man developed fever and headache on April 6 and died on April 11 in the South Atlantic. His 69-year-old wife became ill during a flight to South Africa on April 25 and died the following day. A German woman died on the ship this week after showing signs of pneumonia. A British man was evacuated from Ascension Island to South Africa on April 27.

Hantavirus, linked to rodent excreta and saliva, causes severe respiratory and renal syndromes. WHO officials report no evidence of easy human-to-human transmission but are tracing passengers from a flight between St. Helena and Johannesburg. The ship has implemented maximal physical distancing among passengers and crew.

South African health authorities conducted posthumous testing after the British patient’s positive result confirmed the Dutch woman’s infection. WHO continues to investigate the source of exposure, noting the Dutch couple traveled in South America before boarding. The vessel remains isolated in Cape Verde waters pending further testing and health monitoring.