Map shows journey of the MV Hondius

Map shows journey of the polar expedition ship (The Independent)

Shweta Sharma5 May 2026 06:30

When did hantavirus start in the west?

Hantavirus first emerged in the west in 1993 in the southeastern U.S.

The 1993 outbreak was initially believed to be a mystery flu before researchers determined the illness was actually a novel strain of hantavirus.

The disease was linked to rodents living near the homes of the people who fell ill in 1993. Since then, exposure to the saliva, feces, and urine of rodents has been recognized as the primary means of hantavirus transmission.

Most hantavirus strains rarely transmit between humans, though one strain — the Andes virus — can leap from human to human, according to the New York Times.

Graig Graziosi5 May 2026 06:00

Seven cases of hantavirus identified on cruise ship, WHO says

The World Health Organisation says that seven cases of hantavirus have been identified as part of the outbreak on a luxury cruise ship held off West Africa carrying mostly British, American and Spanish passengers.

“As ‌of 4 May 2026, seven ⁠cases (two laboratory confirmed cases of hantavirus and five suspected cases) have been identified, including three ‌deaths, one critically ​ill patient and ‌three ⁠individuals reporting mild ⁠symptoms,” the WHO said.

The WHO said it was working with local authorities and cruise operator Oceanwide on a “full public health risk assessment.”

“Detailed investigations are ongoing, including further laboratory testing, and epidemiological investigations,” the WHO said.

“Medical care and support are being provided to passengers and crew.”

Shweta Sharma5 May 2026 05:30

WATCH: What is hantavirus? Infectious disease expert explains after cruise ship deaths

What is hantavirus? Infectious disease expert explains after cruise ship deaths | ChicagoLIVE

Graig Graziosi5 May 2026 05:00

British foreign office says consular teams active in UK, South Africa, Spain and Portugal

The government says consular teams from the foreign office have been activated across the UK, South Africa, Spain and Portugal to support British nationals caught up in the cruise ship outbreak.

“This is a deeply worrying time for all those on board the MV Hondius and the families of those affected by the hantavirus outbreak,” it said in a statement.

It added that “we are working around the clock with our international partners, including the cruise ship operator”.

“FCDO teams are also in contact with the family of a British man who was a passenger on the ship and is now in hospital in South Africa.”

Shweta Sharma5 May 2026 04:30

World Health Organization response to the suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard cruise ship

The World Health Organization is working with Oceanwide Expeditions, the company that owns the MV Hondius, to respond to a suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard the ship.

“Detailed investigations are ongoing, including further laboratory testing, and epidemiological investigations. Medical care and support are being provided to passengers and crew. Sequencing of the virus is also ongoing,” the WHO said on Sunday.

Oceanwide Expeditions said in a statement that it was considering sailing elsewhere to potentially offload its passengers and crew.

“The option of sailing on to Las Palmas or Tenerife are being considered to be the gateway for disembarkation, where further medical screening and handling could take place,” the company said.

Graig Graziosi5 May 2026 04:00

British crew member needs ‘urgent’ care after suspected hantavirus outbreak

A British crew member is in need of urgent medical care while another passenger from the UK remains critical but in stable condition after an outbreak of hantavirus on a cruise ship.

The confirmed cases include a British passenger receiving care in South Africa and a Dutch woman who passed away on 27 April after disembarking.

The company said in a statement on Monday that two staff members, one British and one Dutch, were continuing to show “acute respiratory symptoms”, one mild and one severe.

Oceanwide Expeditions confirmed the British tourist remains in a “critical but stable” condition after being medically evacuated to South Africa on 27 April, where they are being treated in an intensive care unit in Johannesburg.

The company added that guests will not be disembarking in Cape Verde, except for three individuals who will be medically evacuated.

“Dutch authorities are actively preparing a medical evacuation of the two symptomatic individuals along with the individual associated with the guest that passed away,” a company statement said.

“This will involve two specialised aircraft equipped with the necessary medical equipment and staffed by trained medical crews.

“This is not confirmed and is subject to change.”

Shweta Sharma5 May 2026 03:57

The journey of the MV Hondius mapped

The course of the MV Hondius as it traveled north. The ship is currently holding stationary off the coast of Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, after a suspected hantavirus outbreak occurred aboard the ship (The Independent)

Graig Graziosi5 May 2026 03:00

The MV Hondius stationary off the port of Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, on May 4, 2026. A suspected hantavirus outbreak on the ship has forced the passengers and crew into isolation (AFP/Getty)A private health facility in Sandton, where a British national traveling aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship is being treated for hantavirus, in the Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa (Reuters)

Graig Graziosi5 May 2026 02:00

Husband and wife were first deaths connected to the cruise ship

The first passenger of the MV Hondius to die amid a hantavirus outbreak was a 70-year-old Dutch man.

He developed a fever, headache, abdominal pain and diarrhea just weeks into their trip aboard the ship.

The man died on the vessel. His 69-year-old wife helped to take his body off the ship when it arrived at the island of St. Helena.

However, she later fell ill and required evacuation to South Africa, where she died in a Johannesburg hospital.

A German passenger died over the weekend. The only confirmed case of the hantavirus aboard the ship has been a 69-year-old British man who fell seriously ill and required evacuation for medical treatment in Johannesburg.

Graig Graziosi5 May 2026 01:00