The MV Hondius hantavirus incident involves 149 people aboard a ship near Cape Verde, with multiple fatalities and extensive international contact tracing as health authorities investigate exposure sources and transmission.
International
-Oneindia English Desk
Two Indian crew members are among 149 people stuck on the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius after a hantavirus outbreak during a voyage that has killed three passengers and left several others ill, India Today reported.
The ship, run by Oceanwide Expeditions, is anchored near Cape Verde while authorities assess infections and monitor everyone on board.
A hantavirus outbreak, suspected to be Andes virus, has occurred on the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius, currently anchored near Cape Verde. The incident involves 149 people, including two Indian crew members, has caused three deaths, and prompted international contact tracing among passengers from 23 countries.
Health agencies and governments across several countries are now tracking travellers linked to this hantavirus outbreak, as the expedition carried passengers from many nations. One passenger in critical condition has already been evacuated for urgent treatment, while the rest remain under observation on the vessel in the Atlantic Ocean.
Hantavirus outbreak on MV Hondius: nationality mix and fatalities
Oceanwide Expeditions issued a nationality-wise list of passengers and crew members travelling on MV Hondius, confirming the presence of two Indian crew members, according to the report. The company has not revealed their names, roles, or current health status. The outbreak caused the deaths of a Dutch couple and one German passenger.
The manifest shared by the operator shows that people on the expedition came from 23 countries, including Great Britain, the United States, Germany and Spain. Many of these travellers are now part of contact-tracing efforts in their home countries, as officials try to identify anyone exposed to the virus during the journey.
Hantavirus outbreak timeline and suspected origin during South America travel
The World Health Organisation said the first cases linked to this hantavirus outbreak were notified on 2 May, after several passengers developed severe respiratory problems while at sea. Investigators think infections likely started before boarding, possibly when travellers passed through parts of Argentina and Chile.
The MV Hondius had set sail from Argentina and was heading towards the Canary Islands when symptoms appeared among passengers. By then, the virus had already spread within the group, prompting the ship to halt near Cape Verde. Local and international health teams are coordinating response measures for those still aboard.
Authorities believe the strain involved is the Andes virus, a rare type of hantavirus. It usually spreads to humans through contact with infected rodents, their urine, saliva or droppings. In enclosed places, people can also inhale contaminated dust. This strain can sometimes pass between humans through very close contact, which increases concern.
The following table outlines key known figures from the MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak so far:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Total people on board | 149 |
| Confirmed deaths | 3 (a Dutch couple and one German passenger) |
| Countries represented | 23, including Great Britain, United States, Germany, Spain and India |
| Current ship location | Anchored near Cape Verde in the Atlantic Ocean |
| Suspected virus strain | Andes virus, a form of hantavirus |
The rare nature of the virus and the international passenger list have prompted extended surveillance. Countries are tracing anyone who may have interacted with travellers before or after the voyage. Several passengers remain under close medical watch on board, but their exact number and clinical status have not been made public.
Health officials continue detailed contact tracing linked to this hantavirus outbreak, reviewing travel routes through South America and subsequent movements towards Cape Verde and the Canary Islands. For now, MV Hondius stays anchored with 149 people still on board, while global authorities assess risks and manage confirmed infections and deaths.
