The World Health Organization (WHO) confirms six hantavirus infections among eight suspected cases following an outbreak on a cruise ship. Three deaths have occurred, but the risk to the global population remains low.
On 9 May 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a statement confirming six hantavirus infections among eight suspected cases after an outbreak aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship, which was sailing off the coast of Cape Verde in the Atlantic Ocean. All confirmed cases involve the Andes virus strain, a rare hantavirus found in South America that can be transmitted between humans, though such transmission is uncommon. Three people have died, representing a fatality rate of about 38%. The deceased include a Dutch married couple and a German woman. Other patients remain under treatment and are being closely monitored.
WHO assessed that the risk to the global population from this event remains low, but the risk is moderate for passengers and crew aboard the ship. The organization emphasized it will continue to monitor the epidemiological situation closely.
Reports also indicate that two Singaporean individuals are undergoing testing. Meanwhile, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is scheduled to travel to Tenerife, Spain, on 9 May to coordinate passenger evacuation and manage the situation with Spanish authorities.
Hantavirus is a zoonotic disease transmitted from rodents, with the virus spreading through contaminated urine, saliva, or feces in the air. However, WHO stressed that the chance of a global outbreak remains very low, as human-to-human transmission is rare and requires prolonged close contact, particularly with the Andes virus strain found only in Argentina and Chile.
Source: AFP