A cruise ship, a possible source of hantavirus which left three people dead on board, could disembark in the Canary Islands, the operator said in a press release published Monday. According to this same source, 149 people of 23 nationalities are forced to respect strict “isolation measures” on board.

Published on: 05/04/2026 - 3:35 p.m. Modified on: 05/04/2026 - 7:29 p.m.

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The islands of Las Palmas and Tenerife, on the Spanish Canary archipelago, are "considered as a gateway for disembarkation" of the cruise ship, presumed source of hantavirus and currently off the coast of Cape Verde, on board which are 149 people of 23 nationalities, the operator announced in a press release on Monday May 4.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Sunday three deaths linked to this suspected outbreak of hantavirus infection, an illness which can cause acute respiratory syndrome, on a cruise ship in the Atlantic. This ship, the MV Hondius, connected Ushuaïa, in Argentina, to the Cape Verde archipelago.

“The option of continuing sailing to Las Palmas or Tenerife (Canary Islands) is being considered as a gateway for disembarkation, where additional medical checks and treatment could take place,” Dutch cruise line Oceanwide Expeditions said in a statement.

“Strict precautionary measures are underway on board, including isolation measures, hygiene protocols and medical monitoring,” assured Oceanwide Expeditions.

The operator explained that after a first death on board on April 11, the passenger's body was disembarked on the island of Saint Helena (United Kingdom) on April 24, accompanied by his wife. She then fell ill, before dying in turn. The couple is of Dutch nationality.

Cape Verde’s refusal

On April 27, a British passenger then “became seriously ill and was medically evacuated to South Africa,” according to the cruise line.

A German national also died on board the boat on May 2, without the cause having been established, adds Oceanwide Expeditions.

“Two crew members are currently experiencing acute respiratory symptoms, one mild and the other severe. Both require urgent medical attention,” the statement said.

The ship was not allowed to dock in the port of the Cape Verdean capital, Praia, according to the president of the National Institute of Public Health (INSP), Maria da Luz Lima, who explained that medical teams came on board twice to assess the two infected people.

“There is no reason to panic or impose travel restrictions,” said Hans Kluge, director of WHO Europe, stressing that hantavirus infections are rare, generally linked to exposure to infected rodents, and are “not easily transmitted between people”.

WHO Europe is working with affected countries to support medical care, evacuation and investigations, he said.

An AFP photographer was able to see the ship, the MV Hondius, anchored off the port of Praia, capital of the West African archipelago located off the coast of Senegal, on Monday morning.

In its first press release on the situation, Oceanwide Expeditions, specialist in polar expeditions, confirmed "a serious medical situation" on board the MV Hondius. He then announced three deaths, including two on board and one after disembarkation.

Transmission by rodents

“The Dutch authorities have agreed to coordinate a joint operation aimed at organizing the repatriation of the two people showing symptoms on board the MV Hondius, from Cape Verde to the Netherlands,” Oceanwide Expeditions also said.

Such repatriation would depend on several factors, including authorization from the Cape Verde authorities, according to the press release.

The Dutch Foreign Ministry confirmed in a statement that it was "currently studying the possibilities of medically evacuating a few people from the ship." “If this proves possible, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will take charge of coordination,” said a spokesperson.

Hantavirus, a disease usually transmitted to humans by rodents, was confirmed in the passenger currently in intensive care in Johannesburg, South Africa, it said.

However, it is not yet established whether the virus was the cause of the three deaths, according to Oceanwide Expeditions. And no cases of hantavirus have been officially confirmed among the two passengers with symptoms requiring treatment on board the ship.

“The exact cause and any possible links are under investigation,” the company said.

The WHO, in its first communications on Sunday, indicated that one case of hantavirus infection had been confirmed and that there were "five other suspected cases".

“Although rare, hantavirus can be transmitted from person to person and cause serious respiratory illnesses. It requires careful monitoring of patients, appropriate support and care,” she said.

With AFP

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