Swiss Passenger Becomes 8th Hondius Hantavirus Case as WHO Plans Canary Islands Disembarkation
Updated
Updated · Health Policy Watch · May 7
Swiss Passenger Becomes 8th Hondius Hantavirus Case as WHO Plans Canary Islands Disembarkation
8 articles · Updated · Health Policy Watch · May 7
A Swiss passenger who left the Hondius at St Helena on April 24 has tested positive for hantavirus and is being treated in a Zurich hospital, bringing the outbreak to eight suspected cases.
Five of the eight cases have been confirmed, three people have died, one patient remains hospitalized in Johannesburg, and three others were medically evacuated from Cabo Verde to European hospitals.
WHO said all passengers should stay in their cabins while experts from WHO, the ECDC and the Netherlands assess everyone on board and prepare step-by-step guidance for safe disembarkation in the Canary Islands.
The response has widened beyond passengers: a Dutch flight attendant who had contact with a sick former passenger in Johannesburg is hospitalized, marking the first suspected case outside the ship's travelers.
WHO said the virus is Andes hantavirus—confirmed by PCR and capable of limited human-to-human spread—with an incubation period of up to 6 weeks, prompting countries to trace contacts and repatriate citizens.
Is this cruise ship outbreak a warning of what's to come from climate-fueled diseases?
Can a virus that hides for up to eight weeks be stopped before it spreads globally?
With a 60% fatality rate, why is the deadly Andes virus considered a low global threat?
The MV Hondius Hantavirus Outbreak: Tracking 8 Cases, 3 Fatalities, and International Containment Efforts
Overview
The MV Hondius cruise ship was linked to a hantavirus outbreak that led to three fatalities, including one death on board. As of May 13, 2026, global health authorities, including the World Health Organization, are actively monitoring and working to contain the situation. The WHO has assessed the public health risk from the ship as moderate, but the overall global risk remains low. Experts stress that hantavirus is much less contagious than COVID-19 and urge the public to remain calm. These coordinated efforts highlight the importance of vigilance and clear communication during emerging health crises.