Hantavirus Infections Cruise Ship: 10 Alarming Facts Behind the MV Hondius Outbreak
Investigating the hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius: causes, impact, and international health response efforts.
The Cruise Ship at the Centre Is the MV Hondius
The Journey Began in Argentina
Three Passengers Have Died
The Virus Was Not Identified Immediately
A British Passenger Remains in Intensive Care
Two Crew Members Also Needed Urgent Care
Andes Virus Is a Key Focus
Human-to-Human Spread Has Not Been Ruled Out
Passengers Were Asked to Stay in Cabins
The Ship Is Expected to Head to the Canary Islands
-
1 / 10
The phrase hantavirus infections cruise ship has become a major search term after a suspected outbreak on the MV Hondius, a Dutch-operated expedition cruise ship that sailed from Argentina toward Antarctica and then across the Atlantic. Nearly 150 passengers and crew from 23 countries were on board as several people became seriously ill, with three passengers dying and at least two cases confirmed as hantavirus.
The case is especially worrying because hantavirus is usually linked to infected rodents, not cruise travel. Health authorities are investigating whether Andes virus, a South American species of hantavirus, may be involved, while the World Health Organization has said rare human-to-human transmission among very close contacts may have occurred on the cruise.