Hantavirus Related Deaths Aboard Ship Being Investigated

May 4, 2026 – A deadly outbreak of Hantavirus aboard the MV Hondius has left three passengers dead and several others ill, raising concerns about onboard health protocols during long international voyages.

The MV Hondius is owned and operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, a Dutch-based cruise company specializing in Arctic and Antarctic expedition voyages. The vessel, launched in 2019, is a Polar Class 6 ice-strengthened ship designed specifically for the company’s polar activities. 

South African authorities confirmed to the BBC that the first known case involved a 70-year-old passenger who began showing symptoms while the ship was at sea. His condition deteriorated rapidly, and he died on board. Shortly afterward, his wife also fell ill and was evacuated when the ship reached assistance range. She was transported to a hospital in Johannesburg, where she later died.

This type of ship doesn’t do Gulf of Mexico or U.S. cruise itineraries, especially not Texas ports like Galveston or Houston.

A third fatality has since been reported among passengers, though details about that individual have not yet been fully released. Several other passengers are reportedly experiencing symptoms consistent with the virus and are being monitored or treated.

According to South African media, the outbreak occurred while the ship was traveling from Argentina to Cape Verde, off the western coast of Africa. The vessel, known for its polar and remote-region expeditions, was carrying international passengers.

Health officials are now working to trace contacts and determine how the virus spread in the confined environment of the ship. Hantavirus is typically transmitted through contact with infected rodent droppings, making this outbreak at sea especially unusual.

Authorities say investigations are ongoing, and additional safety measures may be implemented for future voyages.