Health authorities worldwide are attempting to trace dozens of passengers who left a cruise ship before a hantavirus outbreak was confirmed, amid concerns that the illness could spread through close contact.
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Five infections linked to the Dutch expedition vessel MV Hondius have been confirmed so far, including three deaths, according to the World Health Organization.
Officials are now working to locate passengers who disembarked during the voyage, as well as anyone who may have had close contact with them after leaving the ship.
Hantavirus Cases Linked to Cruise Voyage
The outbreak occurred during a journey operated by Oceanwide Expeditions. The company said 114 guests and 61 crew members from 22 countries boarded the vessel for the trip.
During the voyage, 32 passengers disembarked at Saint Helena on 24 April, before the hantavirus outbreak was identified. Health officials are attempting to locate those travellers as part of an international contact tracing effort.
Reports indicate around 150 passengers and crew from 28 countries were initially on board the ship before some guests left during the cruise.
The vessel departed from Ushuaia in Argentina on 1 April and is scheduled to arrive in the Canary Islands in Spain on 10 May.
On Friday, Oceanwide Expeditions published a detailed timeline outlining when passengers and crew disembarked at various stops during the journey.
WHO: Hantavirus Not Like Covid Pandemic
The World Health Organization said the outbreak is not considered the start of a pandemic similar to COVID-19.
According to the agency, the hantavirus strain involved spreads mainly through “close, intimate contact”, making widespread transmission less likely than viruses that spread easily through the air.
Nevertheless, health officials warned that the incubation period for Hantavirus infection can be lengthy. Symptoms may take up to six weeks to appear after exposure.
Because of this delay, the WHO said additional cases linked to the cruise could still be reported in the coming weeks.
International Contact Tracing Effort
Passengers and crew aboard the MV Hondius came from multiple countries, meaning health agencies around the world are now involved in tracking potential exposures.
Authorities are focusing particularly on those who disembarked in Saint Helena, as well as anyone who may have interacted with them after they left the vessel.
Oceanwide Expeditions said it has shared detailed passenger and crew movement records with health authorities to assist with the ongoing investigation.
Officials say monitoring will continue while the ship completes its journey and authorities assess whether further hantavirus cases linked to the cruise emerge.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 9 May 2026
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