The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed hantavirus cases aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius, with three deaths and several suspected cases reported as of early May 2026. The ship, which departed from Ushuaia in Argentina, South America, is headed to Tenerife in the Canary Islands, Spain, after being held off the coast of Cape Verde in West Africa.
WHO says the global public health risk remains low, but passengers who disembarked earlier are being monitored in countries including Switzerland in Europe, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
According to the WHO’s fact sheet, below are ten things to know about the rodent-borne disease with no cure.
HCPS can quickly progress to cough, shortness of breath, and fluid accumulation in the lungs. HFRS can lead to low blood pressure, bleeding disorders, and kidney failure.
In healthcare settings, standard and transmission-based precautions are advised, with airborne precautions for aerosol-generating procedures.
