Africa CDC says it is monitoring a cluster of hantavirus infections linked to the international cruise ship MV Hondius after seven passengers were identified with the disease as of Monday, including three who have died.
The agency confirmed on Wednesday that it is tracking the situation closely following reports of severe respiratory illness among travellers who boarded the vessel when it departed Ushuaia, Argentina, on 20 March for the Canary Islands via Cabo Verde.
“As of 4 May 2026, seven cases of hantavirus infection have been identified (two laboratory-confirmed and five suspected cases),” Africa CDC said in a statement.
“Among these, three fatalities have been recorded; one patient remains in critical condition under medical care in South Africa, and three individuals are experiencing mild symptoms.”
The ship carried 147 people, including crew, when the first signs of trouble emerged.
A cluster of passengers developed symptoms between 6 and 28 April, beginning with fever and gastrointestinal distress before rapidly progressing to pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome and shock.
The index patient died on board on 11 April, and the remains are currently in Saint Helena awaiting repatriation to the Netherlands.
“As of 4 May 2026, seven cases of hantavirus infection have been identified (two laboratory-confirmed and five suspected cases),” Africa CDC said in a statement.
“Among these, three fatalities have been recorded; one patient remains in critical condition under medical care in South Africa, and three individuals are experiencing mild symptoms.”
Africa CDC said it is working with affected countries to assess the risk and coordinate response measures.
The outbreak has raised concern among regional health authorities given the severity of the cases and the confined setting in which the infections occurred.
Hantavirus, typically transmitted through contact with rodent excreta, is rare in cruise‑ship environments, and investigations are now focused on determining the source of exposure and whether additional passengers may have been affected.
JN/APA