WHO urges calm amid deadly Hantavirus cruise ship outbreak

World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has sought to calm fears over a deadly Hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship, insisting that the global public health risk remains low despite multiple deaths and growing international concern.

The outbreak, linked to the Dutch-flagged MV Hondius cruise ship travelling from Argentina to Cabo Verde, has so far resulted in eight reported cases and three deaths. 

Five cases have been confirmed as Hantavirus infections, while three remain suspected.

“While this is a serious incident, WHO assesses the public health risk as low,” Ghebreyesus said during a media briefing on Wednesday.

The virus, identified as the Andes virus, is a rare strain of Hantavirus found in Latin America and is the only known type capable of limited human-to-human transmission.

Hantaviruses are typically spread through contact with infected rodents or exposure to their urine, saliva or droppings. However, health experts say the Andes virus can also spread between people through prolonged close contact.

The outbreak turned what was meant to be a luxury voyage for 149 passengers into a medical emergency spanning several countries.

The first known patient developed flu-like symptoms, including fever and fatigue, on 6 April before dying five days later onboard the ship.

At the time, doctors did not suspect Hantavirus because his symptoms resembled other respiratory illnesses, and no samples were taken.

His wife later disembarked on Saint Helena while also showing symptoms. She deteriorated during a flight to Johannesburg on 25 April and died the following day.

Tests conducted by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) confirmed she had contracted Hantavirus.

A third passenger died onboard the ship on 2 May after developing symptoms days earlier. 

Another man who became ill aboard the vessel was evacuated from Ascension Island to South Africa, where he remains in intensive care.

The eighth confirmed case involves a man who disembarked on Saint Helena before later testing positive in Zurich, Switzerland.

WHO has warned that more infections could still emerge because the Andes virus has an incubation period of up to six weeks.

Investigations into the source of the outbreak are ongoing.

“WHO will continue working with governments and partners to provide care for those affected, protect passengers and crew, and prevent onward spread of the virus,” Ghebreyesus added.

“WHO is aware of reports of other people with symptoms who may have had contact with one of the passengers. In each case, we are in close contact with the relevant authorities.

Given the incubation period for Andes virus, which can be up to six weeks, it’s possible that more…

— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) May 7, 2026