The World Health Organization (WHO) stated there may be human-to-human transmission of hantavirus on a cruise ship currently anchored in the Atlantic Ocean, but confirmed that the public risk remains low.
On 5 May 2026, the WHO revealed a possible rare case of human-to-human hantavirus transmission aboard a Dutch-flagged cruise ship, which has reported three passenger deaths and remains anchored at sea due to denial of docking permission.
"We believe human-to-human transmission may have occurred among individuals in close contact," said Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove of the WHO. The organization suspects the first patient may have contracted the virus before boarding the ship.
Typically, this virus spreads from rodents to humans, but the WHO noted that in this case, transmission may have occurred among those in close contact aboard the MV Hondius. However, the organization emphasized that the risk to the general public remains low.
Oceanwide Expeditions, the company managing the cruise ship, reported that two crew members—one British and one Dutch—will be airlifted to the Netherlands for treatment after developing acute respiratory symptoms. Additionally, individuals connected to a previously deceased German passenger are also scheduled for evacuation.
The MV Hondius departed Argentina about a month ago to cross the Atlantic Ocean and is currently anchored near Cape Verde, off the west coast of Africa.
Tarik Jassarevic, a WHO spokesperson, told the BBC that a medical team from Cape Verde, supported by WHO, boarded the ship to assist patients and is conducting testing on other passengers and crew showing symptoms.
Oceanwide stated that approximately 149 people from 23 countries remain on board under "strict preventive measures." Besides the crew members scheduled for evacuation, there are also 22 British nationals aboard.
According to the latest WHO situation report, two confirmed hantavirus infections have been detected so far, with five additional suspected cases.
The two confirmed cases include a Dutch woman, one of the deceased, and a 69-year-old British man who was previously transferred to South Africa for treatment.
The Dutch woman's husband has not yet been confirmed as infected, and a German passenger who died on 2 May has not been officially counted as a confirmed case.
The WHO reported that Spain had granted permission for the ship to dock at the Canary Islands to conduct risk assessments and further medical monitoring.
However, Spain's Ministry of Health later denied these reports, stating no confirmation had been made regarding docking permission for the ship.
"Decisions about the next suitable docking point will depend on epidemiological data collected on board as the ship passes Cape Verde," the Spanish Ministry of Health said in a statement. "Until then, no decisions will be made, as we have already clarified to the WHO."
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Source:bbc