WHO confirms five cases of hantavirus linked to cruise ship

The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed five hantavirus cases linked to an outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship in the Atlantic, with three associated deaths reported as of May 7, 2026.

The cases involve the Andes strain, which can transmit between people, affecting passengers who sailed from Argentina.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, the UN health agency’s chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyeus said the WHO was coordinating with multiple countries to trace passengers who disembarked in St. Helena. Hantaviruses are a group of viruses carried by rodents that can cause severe disease in people. They usually get infected through contact with infected rodents, their urine, droppings or saliva.