Last Updated on May 6, 2026, 1:14 AM AST by Anthony Morris
Hantavirus has resulted in the death of three people in the MV Hondius vessel on Sunday 3, May 2026 while the vessel was sailing from Argentina to Cape Verde. The World Health Organisation confirmed the death of three people and shared that one British national is in intensive care on Monday 4, May 2026.
According to reports, the three dead individuals were identified as Dutch nationals. Among the deceased was the couple, with the man aged 70 years and the women aged 69. Both the individuals fell sick during the journey and men died when he arrived at St. Helena island, while the woman was evacuated to Johannesburg in South Africa for medical attention, but later she died at the hospital.
The body of the third Dutch person who has died due to the viral infection remains onboard. That British individual is 69 years old and transferred to Johannesburg under intensive care. A representative from the South African Department of Health shared that the person was ill during the journey, at first he was transferred for medical attention at Ascension Island and after that he was evacuated to South Africa Hospital for further medical treatment.
Hantavirus is a group of viruses which is mainly carried by wild rodents ( rats and mice) and in Humans it primarily spreads through contact with rodent urine, droppings, saliva and rodent bites or scratches.
Through the virus two severe illnesses are likely to affect humans. The first one is Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome in which a person experiences symptoms like fatigue, fever and muscle aches, headaches, dizziness, and abdominal issues. The second one is Haemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome is more serious than (HPS) and mainly affects the person’s kidneys and can cause low blood pressure, internal bleeding and kidney failure.
Additionally, Oceanwide Expedition the Cruise operator shared that two more crew members on board are sick and need medical treatment. Also the World Health Organisation shared 5 additional suspected cases and one laboratory confirmed cases.
The MV Hondius began its journey on March 20, 2026 and currently the vessel is near the port of Praia, the capital city of Cape Verde.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
