Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship: 2 Indian Crew Members Aboard MV Hondius Hit by Deadly Virus
Two Indian crew members are among the 149 people currently stranded aboard the MV Hondius, a Dutch-operated expedition ship hit by a rare and deadly outbreak of hantavirus. The World Health Organization (WHO) and international health agencies confirmed that the outbreak has already claimed three lives and left at least eight others infected.
Two Indian crew members are among the 149 people currently stranded aboard the MV Hondius, a Dutch-operated expedition ship hit by a rare and deadly outbreak of hantavirus. The World Health Organization (WHO) and international health agencies confirmed that the outbreak has already claimed three lives and left at least eight others infected. The vessel, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, is currently anchored near Cape Verde in the Atlantic Ocean after being denied docking privileges at several ports.
The presence of the Indian nationals was confirmed via the ship’s manifest, which includes individuals from 23 different countries. While Oceanwide Expeditions has acknowledged that two crew members are Indian, their specific identities, roles, and current health statuses have not been publicly disclosed. Health officials are monitoring all onboard personnel closely, as the specific strain-identified as the Andes virus-is one of the few hantaviruses capable of limited human-to-human transmission. Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship Raises Concerns over Passenger Risk.
The outbreak is believed to have originated during a birdwatching excursion in Ushuaia, Argentina, before the ship’s departure on April 1. Investigators suggest that passengers may have inhaled microscopic particles from infected rodent droppings during the tour. Symptoms, which began appearing in mid-April, include fever, severe muscle aches, and gastrointestinal issues, often progressing rapidly to acute respiratory distress.
The vessel is currently under strict quarantine protocols. One critically ill patient has been medically evacuated to South Africa for intensive care, while others remain in isolation on the ship. The WHO has issued a global alert for the 12 countries involved in the ship's itinerary to assist with contact tracing for passengers who may have disembarked earlier. Hantavirus Outbreak: WHO Confirms 5 Cases Linked to Cruise Ship MV Hondius; 12 Countries Including UK, US and Canada Notified.
Despite the localized crisis, medical experts in India suggest the immediate risk to the Indian mainland remains very low. Hantavirus typically requires prolonged, close contact for human-to-human spread, and there have been no confirmed cases reported within India linked to this event.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 08, 2026 08:14 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).