Health Department urges calm amid Hantavirus outbreak

The National Department of Health says there is no cause for panic in the wake of the deadly Hantavirus outbreak linked to a Netherlands-based cruise ship.

The department has confirmed that only two affected patients have been within South Africa’s borders.

The vessel was reportedly carrying about 150 international tourists and travelled from different countries and passed several islands, including mainland Antarctica, the Falklands and South Georgia.

Two people have been confirmed dead after contracting the rodent-borne virus, while a British tourist,  is receiving treatment at a hospital in Johannesburg.

Health authorities say the patient, who is being treated in Sandton, remains in critical conditionbut is receiving specialised care in isolation.

“The first patient was a 70-year-old male passenger who suddenly became ill on the ship en route from Ushuaia to St Helena Island, and presented with fever, headache, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea. Unfortunately, he passed away on  arrival at St Helena Island.”

“The second affected passenger was a 69-year-old female, the spouse of the first patient, who collapsed at the OR Tambo International Airport while trying to connect a flight to her home country of the Netherlands. She was taken to a nearby health facility around Kempton Park for medical attention and, unfortunately, passed away.”

Hantavirus typically begins with flu-like symptoms and can progress to severe respiratory and cardiac complications.

Department spokesperson, Foster Mohale, said the World Health Organisation (WHO) is coordinating a multi-country response involving all affected regions.

“The Department is working with the NICD and Ga​uteng Health Department authorities to conduct contact tracing to stop potential spread of the virus by identifying and monitoring individuals who may have been exposed to the infected persons.”

Passengers remain on board the vessel, which has reportedly been denied permission to dock in Cape Verde as a precautionary measure to prevent further spread.

This hantavirus is just covid all over

— Jenny! (@Iwuese_1) May 4, 2026

Bathong what is Hantavirus? A new Covid ??

— Makobo Thage (@Reginah_Thage) May 4, 2026

Guys was it okay to give South Africa this British person with hantavirus.
Isn’t this like the British were saving themselves on this one ?

— SquidPina (@pdmangava) May 4, 2026