Frightened passengers have been ordered to stay put on a virus-hit cruise ship, where three people have died and a Briton is fighting for his life.
According to the World Health Organization, six suspected cases of hantavirus have been reported on the MV Hondius, which was traveling from Argentina to Cape Verde.
Three people have died and another three are reportedly ill.
According to cruise firm Oceanwide Expeditions, those ill onboard include two crew members and are in need of “immediate medical care.”
Are you on board or know someone who is on board? To contact email harvey.geh@news.co.uk
The third suspected case, a 69-year-old Briton, is in intensive care in Johannesburg.
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So far, one case of hantavirus has been confirmed by officials – the same rat-borne virus that killed Gene Hackman’s wife Betsy Arakawa on March 7, 2025.
Five more cases on the ship are still under investigation.
Passengers are now asked to remain on the plane while “awaiting approval” to disembark.
The ship appears to have been anchored off the coast of Cape Verde for the past 24 hours.
A letter to guests from Oceanwide Expeditions said: “We are currently anchored off the coast of Cape Verde and are awaiting clearance from the Cape Verde authorities to disembark, with priority given to those requiring immediate medical care.”
It continues: “At this stage, we do not have permission to land from the Cape Verde authorities.”
The note advised guests to “follow best practices, wear face masks, maintain distance and, where possible, minimize contact with fellow guests.”
“We haven’t heard from Oceanwide at all. We still have friends on the ship,” one passenger told the Daily Mail.
Another guest said on Instagram: “We are in a very complicated situation. Please keep us in your thoughts.”
He added: “Since we are not allowed to go ashore in Cape Verde, most likely we will head straight for the Canary Islands.”
The first person to show symptoms was a 70-year-old passenger who died on the plane.
He had suddenly fallen ill, complaining of fever, headache, stomach ache and diarrhoea.
He died upon reaching St. Helena, Britain’s territory in the South Atlantic.
What is Hantavirus?
Hantavirus is one of the deadliest diseases for humans, compared to Ebola.
It is a rare pathogen that is primarily spread by rodents but can also spread to humans through feces and urine.
This virus can lead to serious diseases, including hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS).
Each hantavirus strain is associated with a specific rodent species and is spread to humans through contact with the urine, feces, or saliva of infected rodents, and most commonly through rodent bites.
The virus was first identified near the Hantan River during the Korean War in the 1950s and does not spread easily between humans.
Despite its rarity, hantavirus has a mortality rate of 38 percent, based on CDC data.
There is no specific treatment or cure.
Symptoms of hantavirus infection include fever, kidney damage, fatigue, vomiting, and red cheeks, with an incubation period ranging from four days to two months.
Humans are at risk for infection through contact with wild or domesticated rodents, their feces or urine, or through the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, or mouth.
To date, there have been no confirmed cases of direct human-to-human transmission of hantavirus.
Meanwhile, his 69-year-old wife also fell ill and was flown to South Africa, where she died in a Johannesburg hospital.
They are understood to be a Dutch couple.
A source close to the case, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the provisional death toll was three, including the Dutch couple.
He said a third person was still on board the ship and discussions were underway to decide whether two other sick passengers should be isolated in a hospital in Cape Verde.
Oceanwide Expeditions said: “During this voyage, three passengers have died.
“In addition, one passenger is currently being treated in intensive care in Johannesburg, and two crew members onboard are in need of immediate medical care.
“As of 23:00 CET on 3 May 2026, no authorization has been given from the Cape Verdean authorities to disembark guests requiring medical care or assist with medical screening.
“Local health officials have visited the ship to assess the condition of the two symptomatic individuals.
“They have not yet made a decision regarding the transfer of these individuals to medical care in Cape Verde.
“The priority for ocean-wide operations is to ensure that the two symptomatic individuals on board receive adequate and prompt medical care.”
The World Health Organization has been informed and is now providing assistance.
“To date, one case of hantavirus infection has been laboratory confirmed, and five other cases are suspected,” a WHO statement said.
“Of the six people affected, three have died and one is now in intensive care in South Africa.”
MV Hondius is listed as a polar cruise ship. It is operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, a Dutch-based tour company.
One of the cruises offers an itinerary departing from Ushuaia for Cape Verde, with stops in South Georgia and the islands of Saint Helena.
According to online ship-tracking sites, the MV Hondius was off the port of Praia, the Cape Verde capital, on Sunday.
The ship can accommodate approximately 170 passengers and has approximately 70 crew members.
Hantavirus refers to a type of virus spread by rodents, which is spread by the inhalation of airborne particles from dried rodent litter.
Although rare, it can also be spread through rodent bites or scratches.
The UK Foreign Office confirmed that it is “closely monitoring reports of a possible outbreak of hantavirus” and “stands ready” to support British citizens if needed.
“We are in contact with the cruise company and local authorities,” it said in a statement.
