The Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius has been ordered to remain offshore Cape Verde after three passengers died and several others fell seriously ill, suspected to be an outbreak of hantavirus. Passengers are still prohibited from disembarking.
On 5 May 2026, international news agencies reported that the cruise ship MV Hondius, carrying nearly 150 passengers and crew, was ordered to stay offshore Cape Verde following the deaths of three passengers and several severe illnesses from an infection suspected to be hantavirus.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and Oceanwide Expeditions, the cruise operator, stated that the ship requested assistance from local health authorities upon arrival off Cape Verde, but no permission has yet been granted for passengers or crew to go ashore.
Cape Verde's Ministry of Health announced that to prevent public health risks, the ship will not be allowed to dock and must remain anchored near the coast for the time being.
Reports indicate that the deceased include a Dutch man and his wife who died while the ship was docked in South Africa and were later confirmed to be infected, as well as a German passenger whose body remains on board. Another infected passenger transferred to South Africa is in critical condition. Additionally, at least two crew members have severe respiratory symptoms requiring urgent treatment, with medical evacuation plans underway.
Hantavirus is a rare infectious disease typically transmitted from rodents to humans through contact with secretions. Health officials are urgently investigating the source of the outbreak, while teams from Cape Verde and WHO are jointly testing samples, assessing risks, and coordinating international cooperation to closely manage the situation.