What Is Hantavirus? What We Know So Far About the MV Hondius Outbreak

A rare outbreak of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius has sparked global attention after several passengers became seriously ill and three people died.

Health authorities, including the World Health Organization, have confirmed that the outbreak involves the Andes strain of hantavirus — a rare variant mainly found in parts of Argentina and Chile. Unlike most hantaviruses, the Andes strain is capable of limited human-to-human transmission.

What is hantavirus?

Hantaviruses are a group of viruses usually carried by rodents. Humans typically become infected through contact with infected rodents or exposure to their urine, saliva, or droppings.

The virus can cause severe illnesses, including Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, a potentially deadly respiratory disease that affects the lungs and breathing system. Symptoms often begin like the flu before rapidly worsening.

What are the symptoms?

Early symptoms can include:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Muscle aches
• Headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Stomach pain

In more serious cases, patients may develop:

• Severe breathing difficulties
• Pneumonia
• Acute respiratory distress
• Low blood pressure and shock

Doctors say symptoms can worsen quickly after the initial flu-like stage.

How does it spread?

Most hantavirus infections spread through inhaling virus particles from rodent waste. However, the Andes strain involved in the current outbreak is the only known hantavirus capable of spreading between humans, although this remains rare and usually requires close and prolonged contact.

Health experts believe exposure may have occurred during wildlife or port activities linked to the Antarctic expedition cruise, though investigations are still ongoing.

What happened on the MV Hondius?

The MV Hondius departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, in April for an Antarctic expedition. Reports indicate that passengers later began developing severe respiratory symptoms while onboard.

According to WHO, at least eight cases have now been reported, including five confirmed infections and three deaths. Several passengers and crew members were medically evacuated, while others remain under monitoring.

The ship was temporarily held off the coast of Cape Verde before continuing toward the Canary Islands under health supervision.

Is there a cure or vaccine?

There is currently no specific cure or approved vaccine for hantavirus infections. Treatment mainly focuses on supportive medical care, including oxygen therapy and intensive care support for severe cases. Early diagnosis can improve survival chances.

Should people be worried?

The WHO says the overall global public health risk remains low and stressed that the situation is “not another COVID pandemic.” However, officials warned that additional cases could still appear because the virus can have an incubation period of up to six weeks.

Authorities across several countries are continuing contact tracing and monitoring passengers who previously disembarked from the ship before the virus was identified.