Topline
Spanish authorities reported on Friday that a 32-year-old woman who traveled on the same flight as a deceased MV Hondius cruise ship passenger is now exhibiting symptoms related to hantavirus. This brings the total number of confirmed and suspected cases to nine.
Timeline
Health Secretary Javier Padilla announced that the woman, currently in Alicante, Spain, is undergoing tests after sharing a flight with a passenger who died in Johannesburg.
Canary Islands President Fernando Clavijo announced that the MV Hondius will not be permitted to dock in Tenerife when it arrives on Saturday. Instead, it will remain offshore until evacuation measures are in place; as of Friday, no passengers aboard are showing symptoms, according to WHO officials.
Health authorities in the U.K. identified a new suspected case involving a British man on Tristan da Cunha now linked to the cruise ship outbreak.
The World Health Organization confirmed that a KLM flight attendant, who had mild symptoms after brief contact with a hantavirus patient, tested negative for the virus, which supports the expert consensus that it requires prolonged close contact for transmission.
President Donald Trump claimed the hantavirus outbreak is “very much” under control, adding optimistic remarks but somewhat evasively addressing concerns about public worries.
Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo from the Infectious Diseases Society of America expressed that the U.S. is “not prepared” to manage a hantavirus outbreak, citing prior cuts to public health agencies.
Medical professionals disputed claims circulating online that ivermectin, usually used for deworming animals, is effective against hantavirus.
Oceanwide Expeditions, which operates the MV Hondius, stated that at least 29 passengers from various countries disembarked following the death of the first passenger, prior to awareness of the outbreak. Countries include Canada, Germany, New Zealand, and the U.S.
Texas health officials reported monitoring two residents who were aboard the ship, neither of whom displays symptoms.
Officials in California are tracking an unspecified number of residents from the MV Hondius, confirming that none currently exhibit illness. Additionally, health authorities in Arizona and Georgia are overseeing three other passengers who remain healthy.
Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus from WHO indicated that some passengers shared a flight to Johannesburg with a woman from the ship who later succumbed to the illness.
Dr. Ghebreyesus noted that while none of the remaining passengers or crew members aboard the MV Hondius show symptoms, more cases could emerge as the Andes variant can take up to six weeks for symptoms to appear. He affirmed that the public health risk is “low.”
A Dutch flight attendant with mild symptoms after brief contact with a deceased patient is undergoing testing for the disease.
An international scientific team is reportedly working on developing a vaccine for hantavirus.
The CDC informed employees that Luis Rodríguez, who managed public health on cruise ships, is retiring, though no successor has been named.
WHO expert Maria Van Kerkhove commented that while hantavirus is serious, it is not comparable to the scale of COVID-19.
The WHO confirmed that lab-confirmed hantavirus cases have risen to five, with three additional suspected cases among cruise passengers and crew.
Authorities in Argentina theorized that the outbreak may have started from a bird-watching excursion that led to exposure to rodents.
Health officials clarified that this specific outbreak is caused by the Andes strain of hantavirus, a particularly lethal variant known for its human-to-human transmission.
Spanish Health Minister Monica Garcia stated that the MV Hondius is heading to the Granadilla port in Tenerife, where quarantines will be enforced for Spanish passengers while others will return to their home countries.
Three individuals needing medical attention, including two in serious condition, were evacuated and flown to the Netherlands.
A man who traveled earlier on the ship is hospitalized in Switzerland with a strain of hantavirus; authorities are now tracing contacts to prevent further spread.
The South African Department of Health confirmed that infected passengers tested positive for the Andes virus.
The WHO announced the presence of hantavirus on the ship with two confirmed cases and five additional suspected cases.
Cape Verde officials denied docking privileges to the MV Hondius to safeguard public health.
A German passenger died aboard the MV Hondius.
A British passenger was medically evacuated to South Africa and later confirmed to have a variant of hantavirus.
The first victim’s spouse dies after collapsing at an airport in South Africa from a confirmed variant of hantavirus.
A 70-year-old Dutch man died on the MV Hondius, with his cause of death still under investigation after nearly two weeks.
The MV Hondius departed from Ushuaia, Argentina.
Crucial Quote
“It’s been quite a mammoth effort,” said Professor Robin May from the UK Health Security Agency regarding contact tracing. “We will continue to do that if other information arises.”
Where Is The MV Hondius?
On Friday morning, the ship was cruising off the coast of Morocco en route to the Canary Islands, with passengers isolating in their cabins and a medical team onboard.
Big Number
Almost 150 individuals are currently stuck onboard the MV Hondius, representing 23 nations, including 17 from the U.S.
Who Are The Hantavirus Patients?
- Suspected case: A 70-year-old Dutch man, who died on the MV Hondius on April 11, is now believed to be the first hantavirus case on the ship.
- Confirmed case: His 69-year-old wife died shortly after their departure from the ship, later testing positive for hantavirus.
- Suspected case: A German woman died on the ship on May 2, with no tests done on her body yet.
- Confirmed case: A British expedition guide was evacuated to South Africa and is now in critical condition due to hantavirus.
- Confirmed case: A Dutch passenger was evacuated to the Netherlands for treatment.
- Confirmed case: Another British passenger received medical evacuation to the Netherlands.
- Confirmed case: A Swiss man developed hantavirus after leaving the ship for home and is hospitalized in Zurich.
- Suspected case: A British man on Tristan da Cunha is under suspicion for hantavirus related to the cruise.
- Suspected case: A woman in Spain is being tested after sitting next to an infected individual on a flight.
- Tested negative: A KLM flight attendant who had interactions with a deceased patient tested negative for hantavirus.
Key Background
The MV Hondius left Ushuaia, Argentina on April 1, aiming for the Canary Islands and stopping at several remote locations along the journey. After being denied docking in Cape Verde, the ship continued to face scrutiny over the outbreak.
Tangent
A passenger voiced concerns that the cruise operator did not inform them about potential health risks following the first passenger’s death, leading many to interact freely as they were misled to believe there was no infection risk.
What Is The Andes Hantavirus?
Andes is notably the only hantavirus known to be spread between people. Generally, hantavirus is contracted via contact with rodent droppings or urine, but no rodents have been detected on the MV Hondius. The strain is prevalent in South America, specifically Argentina and Chile. Symptoms typically manifest within one to eight weeks.
What Are The Symptoms Of Hantavirus?
Hantavirus can lead to two primary diseases. Symptoms could include fever, fatigue, muscle aches, along with serious respiratory issues leading to a significant mortality rate for those developing late respiratory symptoms. Hemorrhagic fever affects the kidneys and can lead to a variety of severe complications.
How Is Hantavirus Treated?
Currently, there are no specific treatments for hantavirus; care is primarily supportive, focusing on issues like respiratory distress and kidney failure management.
Surprising Fact
Betsy Arakawa, wife of actor Gene Hackman, died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in February 2025 at age 65.
Further Reading
Andes Hantavirus Outbreak In 2018 Gives Hope Of Avoiding ‘Epidemic,’ Officials Say
29 Passengers Got Off Hantavirus Cruise Ship After First Death—Flight Attendant Hospitalized With Symptoms
