Rare Hantavirus Strain Found on Cruise Ship Raises Concerns About Human Transmission

A luxury cruise ship stranded off the coast of West Africa for days following a deadly hantavirus outbreak is now heading to Spain, while South African health officials confirm they have identified a rare strain of the virus that can spread between people. The MV Hondius has been held near Cape Verde since the outbreak began, with nearly 150 people still on board. South Africa’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases says testing shows the Andes strain of hantavirus infected a Dutch woman who died in Johannesburg and a British man currently hospitalized there. This strain is known for limited human-to-human transmission, though health experts stress it remains very rare and requires close contact. So far, three passengers have died: a Dutch couple and a German national. A British man remains in intensive care in South Africa, and at least four Australians are still on the ship. Switzerland reports a male passenger who returned home is being treated in Zurich, but officials say there is no wider risk. The World Health Organization continues to say the public danger is low. Most people catch hantavirus from rodents, not from other people. Spanish authorities have agreed to let the ship dock in Tenerife after requests from the WHO and the European Union, but the Canary Islands’ leader opposes the move. The Netherlands is working to evacuate three patients, including one Dutch national, as soon as possible. South Africa is monitoring 62 contacts, including healthcare workers and flight crew, with no new cases reported so far.