Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship Near Cape Verde
A hantavirus outbreak on a luxury cruise ship stranded off the coast of Cape Verde with nearly 150 people onboard has been linked to the Andes strain, which can, in rare instances, spread between humans, according to South Africa's National Institute for Communicable Diseases.
The MV Hondius, which was scheduled to sail to Spain, has been at the center of this health crisis. The Swiss government reported that a man who returned to Switzerland after traveling on the MV Hondius tested positive for hantavirus and is receiving treatment in Zurich. Authorities have stated there is no risk to the general population.
Fatalities include a Dutch couple and a German national who were passengers on the ship, while a British national remains in intensive care in South Africa. The Netherlands is organizing the evacuation of three patients currently onboard. Additionally, there are at least four Australian nationals aboard the vessel.
Since the outbreak began, the South African authorities have emphasized that the risk to the wider public remains low.
Transmission and Identification of the Andes Strain
Hantavirus infection typically occurs through contact with infected rodents or exposure to their urine, droppings, or saliva. Human-to-human transmission is uncommon.
However, some previous outbreaks involving the Andes strain, prevalent in South America including Argentina—the cruise's origin in March—have shown limited human-to-human transmission among close contacts.
A presentation reviewed by indicated that tests conducted by South Africa’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases confirmed the Andes strain as the cause of infection in the Dutch woman who died in Johannesburg and the British man currently hospitalized there.
“This is the only strain that is known to cause human-to-human transmission, but such transmission is very rare and as said earlier, it only happens due to very close contact,”
South Africa’s health ministry also reported that contact tracing is underway, identifying 62 contacts including flight crew and healthcare workers. These individuals will be monitored throughout the incubation period. To date, none have been diagnosed with hantavirus.
Ship Denied Entry at Cape Verde, Spain to Accept Vessel
Cape Verde, the ship’s intended final destination, has denied permission for passengers to disembark due to the outbreak.
On Tuesday evening, Spain’s health ministry announced it had received a request from the World Health Organization and the European Union to accept the MV Hondius and had consented to do so, citing adherence to international law and humanitarian principles.
According to Spanish state broadcaster TVE, the ship is expected to dock at Tenerife in the Canary Islands.
However, Fernando Clavijo, the leader of the Spanish archipelago, expressed opposition to this decision and requested an urgent meeting with Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. The final decision rests with the central government.
Evacuation Efforts and Ongoing Care
The Dutch foreign ministry confirmed coordination efforts to evacuate three patients, including one Dutch national, to the Netherlands for medical treatment.
“All efforts are aimed at making this happen as soon as possible,”
“Exact details of the timing and logistics of this operation can only be shared once they are definitively established.”
