The deadly hantavirus outbreak aboard the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius has intensified after the World Health Organization confirmed another passenger tested positive, deepening fears over a rare Andes virus outbreak that has already claimed three lives and triggered international health monitoring across multiple countries.
In a post on X, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “Swiss authorities have confirmed a case of hantavirus identified in a passenger from the MV Hondius cruise ship who presented to hospital in Zurich. The patient is currently receiving care at a hospital in Zurich, Switzerland.”
He added that the patient responded to an email sent by the cruise operator warning passengers about the onboard health emergency.
WHO confirmed that, as of May 6, eight cases linked to the outbreak had been identified, with three laboratory-confirmed as hantavirus infections. Testing in South Africa and Switzerland identified the strain as the Andes virus, a rare and potentially deadly hantavirus found in South America.
Since departing Argentina nearly a month ago, three passengers connected to the outbreak have died, while three others required medical evacuation.
According to the BBC, the evacuated individuals included a 56-year-old British man, a 41-year-old Dutch crew member, and a 65-year-old German national.
Cruise operator Oceanwide Expeditions said two patients were transferred to hospitals in Amsterdam, while another remained aboard a delayed evacuation flight. Two evacuees are symptomatic, while a third remains symptom-free despite close contact with a passenger who died on May 2.
Meanwhile, two British passengers are self-isolating in the UK after possible exposure. The UK Health Security Agency said they remain asymptomatic and that the public risk is “very low.”
Health authorities in the United States and South Africa are also tracing possible contacts linked to the ship.
WHO epidemic expert Maria Van Kerkhove stressed, “This is not the next Covid, but it is a serious infectious disease.” She warned that severe cases may require oxygen support or mechanical ventilation.
Hantavirus infections initially resemble flu symptoms but can rapidly progress into life-threatening respiratory illness or kidney failure.
