Three people have died amid a suspected Hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship anchored off Cape Verde. The rare disease is typically contracted by inhaling infected rodent urine, droppings or saliva.
The company operating a cruise ship where three passengers have lost their lives during a suspected Hantavirus outbreak – which has also left a British tourist critically ill – has confirmed that two crew members require “urgent medical care”.
Oceanwide Expeditions has revealed it is dealing with “a serious medical situation” aboard the MV Hondius following the deaths of three Dutch passengers, including a married couple aged 69 and 70.
A British national remains in critical condition at a Johannesburg hospital, while two crew members aboard the ship are in need of immediate medical attention.
Hantavirus is usually transmitted through breathing in infected rodent urine, faeces or saliva. Although uncommon, human-to-human transmission can occur, potentially causing severe and life-threatening respiratory failure.
Oceanwide released a statement saying: “During this voyage, three passengers have passed away. In addition, one passenger is currently being treated in intensive care in Johannesburg, and two crew members on board require urgent medical care.”, reports the Mirror.
“As of 23:00hrs CET on 3 May 2026, no authorization from Cape Verdean authorities has been given to disembark guests requiring medical care or to support with medical screening.”
The company explained that Cape Verdean health authorities have yet to reach a decision on transferring the two unwell individuals to medical facilities in Cape Verde.
The statement continues: “Dutch authorities have agreed to lead a joint effort in organizing the repatriation of the two symptomatic individuals on board m/v Hondius from Cape Verde to the Netherlands.
“The body of the deceased individual is also planned to be included in this repatriation, along with a guest closely associated with the deceased. This individual is not symptomatic.
“This repatriation depends on many factors, including the authorization and support of local Cape Verdean health authorities for the transfer of individuals requiring medical attention from m/v Hondius.”
Oceanwide Expeditions confirmed it is collaborating closely with both local and international authorities, amongst them the WHO, RIVM, relevant embassies, and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“We are currently establishing the full facts and working on appropriate medical care, screening, and next steps. We will provide a further update as soon as more information becomes available,” the statement adds.
Hantavirus is the very same illness that claimed the life of Gene Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa, in February last year.
Nests and dead rodents were discovered in outbuildings at the property where Ms Arakawa resided with her Oscar-winning husband, according to records held by the New Mexico Department of Public Health.
US authorities confirmed that Ms Arakawa, 65, passed away from a respiratory illness connected to hantavirus, a week prior to her husband, 95, who had been in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease. The couple were discovered at their home in February last year. A message delivered to travellers aboard the MV Hondius has revealed they are essentially trapped on the ship as it remains “anchored offshore of Cape Verde and awaiting approval […] to disembark.”
Staff have acknowledged there remains no certainty about when assistance will arrive, according to MailOnline. “At this stage, we do not have any information regarding the timeline moving forward,” the letter says.
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