Three Dead in Suspected Hantavirus Outbreak on Atlantic Cruise Ship

Three people have died following a suspected hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean, the World Health Organization said.

One hantavirus case has been confirmed aboard the MV Hondius, with five more suspected cases under investigation. The ship was traveling from Argentina to Cape Verde. The WHO told the BBC that detailed investigations into the suspected cases are ongoing, including further laboratory testing.

Hantavirus is a strain of viruses carried by rodents and transmitted to humans mainly through inhalation of airborne particles from dried rodent droppings, urine or saliva, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Infections can also spread through rodent bites or scratches, though that is rare.

The virus causes two severe illnesses. Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome often begins with fatigue, fever and muscle aches, then progresses to headaches, dizziness, chills and abdominal problems. If breathing difficulties develop, the mortality rate is about 38 percent, the CDC says.

Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome primarily affects the kidneys and can lead to low blood pressure, internal bleeding and acute kidney failure.

An estimated 150,000 cases of Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome occur worldwide each year, mostly in Europe and Asia, according to a National Institutes of Health report. More than half take place in China.

In the US, there were 890 hantavirus cases from 1993, when surveillance began, through 2023. Seoul virus, a main strain carried by Norway rats, appears worldwide, including in the United States.

No specific treatment exists for hantavirus infections. The CDC advises supportive care such as oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation, antiviral drugs and dialysis. Severe cases may require intensive care and intubation.

To prevent exposure, the CDC recommends eliminating rodent contact in homes and workplaces, sealing entry points in basements and attics, and wearing protective gear when cleaning rodent droppings.

In February 2025, Betsy Arakawa, wife of Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, died from a respiratory illness linked to hantavirus. Investigators believe she contracted Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, the most common US strain. Nests and dead rodents were found in outbuildings at her house.