Seven cases of infection reported on cruise ship following hantavirus outbreak
Kyiv • UNN
Seven cases of hantavirus have been detected on the cruise ship MV Hondius, with three fatalities reported. The WHO assesses the global risk as low and is continuing its investigation.
The number of passenger infections following the detection of hantavirus on the cruise ship MV Hondius has risen to seven. This was reported by the press service of the World Health Organization, according to UNN.
Details
As indicated by the WHO, on May 2, they were notified of a cluster of passengers with severe respiratory illnesses on board the cruise ship. There are 147 passengers and crew members on board the vessel.
As of May 4, 2026, seven cases have been identified (two laboratory-confirmed hantavirus cases and five suspected cases), including three deaths, one critically ill patient, and three individuals reporting mild symptoms,
According to the WHO, the illness "began between April 6 and 28 and was characterized by fever, gastrointestinal symptoms, rapid progression to pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and shock."
"Further investigations are ongoing. The outbreak is being managed through coordinated international measures, including in-depth investigations, isolation and case care, medical evacuation, and laboratory testing," the statement reads.
The WHO explained that human hantavirus infection primarily occurs through contact with the urine, feces, or saliva of infected rodents. It is a rare but severe disease that can be fatal. Although rare, limited human-to-human transmission has been reported during previous outbreaks of the Andes virus (a specific type of hantavirus).
"The WHO currently assesses the risk to the global population from this event as low and will continue to monitor the epidemiological situation and update the risk assessment," the organization noted.
As a reminder
As a result of the hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship, three people have died, and three others have fallen ill.