A Rare Rodent-Borne Illness Strikes a Cruise Ship Off West Africa: What Travelers Need to Know
A Dutch-flagged expedition cruise ship, the MV Hondius, is dealing with an outbreak of hantavirus, a rare and often deadly illness spread by rodents. Since the vessel left Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1, three people among the 147 passengers and crew have died, and four others have fallen ill, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). One patient is in intensive care in South Africa but is reportedly improving. Another confirmed case surfaced in Switzerland, where a man who sailed the first leg of the trip is now hospitalized in Zurich; his wife is in self-isolation as a precaution.
While the situation is serious—and may stir memories of cruise ships quarantined during the early days of COVID-19—health officials say the wider public has little reason to worry. The WHO currently assesses the risk to the global population as low. Here is what travelers should know.
Hantavirus is carried by rodents and can cause severe respiratory distress. It starts with flu-like symptoms that can escalate into breathing trouble. The illness is fatal in nearly 40 percent of cases. It spreads mostly through contact with rodent urine, droppings, or saliva. Human-to-human transmission is rare, though not impossible.
Authorities believe the initial infections happened before passengers boarded in Argentina. The incubation period can range from one to six weeks, so the first cases likely came from exposure on land. Still, some person-to-person spread may have occurred among close contacts, such as cabinmates. Experts stress that this kind of transmission is unusual and unlikely to continue beyond the ship.
Travelers should not cancel trips to South America. Staying in standard hotels, eating at restaurants, and visiting typical tourist spots carries minimal risk. Basic precautions—good hand hygiene, avoiding areas with visible rodents or poor sanitation—are enough. The cruise industry has strong safeguards in place, and passengers who feel unwell should see the ship’s doctor promptly.
Spanish authorities plan a full investigation once the ship docks in the Canary Islands. For now, the outbreak appears contained to the vessel, and there is no sign of a broader epidemic.