Netherlands-based cruise says it is 'managing serious medical situation' on polar expedition

A British passenger is fighting for his life after contracting hantavirus aboard a a cruise ship travelling from Argentina to Cape Verde .

Three people have died and five others have fallen ill in a suspected outbreak on the ship.

The British national, aged 69, is in intensive care in Johannesburg and has tested positive for the virus, local officials said.

Two of the dead are a Dutch couple.

The man, 70, suddenly developed fever, headache, abdominal pain and diarrhoea and died on arrival at the island of St Helena , a British territory in the South Atlantic .

The woman, 69, was evacuated to South Africa , where she died in a Johannesburg hospital.

A third fatality was still on board, according to a source cited by AFP.

The outbreak was reported aboard the MV Hondius, a polar cruise ship run by Oceanwide Expeditions carrying around 150 tourists from various countries.

The vessel departed Ushuaia in southern Argentina on 20 March and was due to arrive in Cape Verde on 4 May.

Hantavirus is usually passed to humans from rodents via their urine or faeces and can cause severe respiratory illness.

British cruise ship passenger fighting for life in hantavirus outbreak
The South African health department said in a statement that the British national fell ill near Ascension Island, another remote island in the Atlantic, after the ship left Saint Helena and was transferred from there to South Africa.

Two crew members symptomatic on board as Cape Verde withholds disembarkation approval
Two crew members on board the MV Hondius are among those showing symptoms of hantavirus, Oceanwide Expeditions confirmed, as Cape Verdean authorities have yet to authorise their disembarkation or medical screening.

"The priority of Oceanwide Expeditions is to ensure that the two symptomatic individuals on board receive adequate and expedited medical care," the company said.

Three people are already dead and one British national in intensive care in Johannesburg.

Local health officials have visited the vessel to assess the two crew members but are yet to make a decision on transferring them to medical care in Cape Verde.

Mapped: Journey of the polar expedition ship
Oceanwide Expeditions statement in full
The operator of the MV Hondius, Oceanwide Expeditions, has released the following statement:
"Oceanwide Expeditions is currently managing a serious medical situation on board the vessel m/v Hondius, located off the coast of Cape Verde.

During this voyage, three passengers have passed away.

In addition, one passenger is currently being treated in intensive care in Johannesburg, and two crew members on board require urgent medical care.

"As of 23:00 hrs CET on 3 May 2026, no authorization from Cape Verdean authorities has been given to disembark guests requiring medical care or to support with medical screening.

Local health authorities have visited the vessel to assess the condition of the two symptomatic individuals.

They are yet to make a decision regarding the transfer of these individuals into medical care in Cape Verde.

"The priority of Oceanwide Expeditions is to ensure that the two symptomatic individuals on board receive adequate and expedited medical care.

Dutch authorities have agreed to lead a joint effort in organizing the repatriation of the two symptomatic individuals on board m/v Hondius from Cape Verde to the Netherlands.

The body of the deceased individual is also planned to be included in this repatriation, along with a guest closely associated with the deceased.

This individual is not symptomatic.

"This repatriation depends on many factors, including the authorization and support of local Cape Verdean health authorities for the transfer of individuals requiring medical attention from m/v Hondius.

We are in close contact with those directly affected and their families and are providing support where possible.

"The health and safety of all passengers and crew is our highest priority.

Oceanwide Expeditions is working closely with local and international authorities, including WHO, RIVM, relevant embassies, and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Disembarkation and medical screening of all guests require coordination with local health authorities, and we are in close consultation with them.

"We are currently establishing the full facts and working on appropriate medical care, screening, and next steps.

We will provide a further update as soon as more information becomes available."
The Dutch cruise firm emerged from scientific voyages to the high Arctic archipelago of Svalbard by the Netherlands-based Plancius Foundation.

Oceanwide Expeditions started commercial operations in 1993.

It is based in the Dutch port of Vlissingen (Flushing) and specialises in expedition voyages to the polar regions, with the slogan: “Explore the best of Antarctica and the Arctic.”
The fleet comprises three ice-strengthened ships: Hondius, Ortelius, and Plancius.

The company says: “Our expeditions attract independent travellers from around the globe who are characterised by a strong interest in exploring remote regions.”
Passengers are typically aged between their 30s to their 80s.

Most are between 45 and 65.

Oceanwide Expeditions sets out the procedure when passengers become unwell – which is largely concerned with Covid infections.

It says: “In event of passengers becoming unwell onboard we will follow a set protocol to keep that person and other guests, crew and staff safe and minimise potential spread of infections.

“Infected passengers (Covid or non) are recommended to stay in their cabins, have meals in their cabins and minimise contact with other passengers and crew.

There is no requirement to go into isolation unless strictly indicated by a doctor or medical advisor.”
Cruise operator says Cape Verde has not authorised disembarkation
The operator of the MV Hondius has said Cape Verdean authorities have not yet authorised the disembarkation of passengers requiring medical care, as the ship remains off the coast of Cape Verde with three passengers dead and two crew members requiring urgent medical attention on board.

In a statement, Oceanwide Expeditions said local health authorities had visited the vessel to assess the two symptomatic individuals on board but were yet to make a decision on transferring them to medical care in Cape Verde.

One passenger remains in intensive care in Johannesburg.

Dutch authorities have agreed to lead a joint effort to repatriate the two symptomatic passengers from Cape Verde to the Netherlands, the company said, along with the body of one of the deceased and a closely associated guest who is not symptomatic.

The repatriation depends on authorisation from Cape Verdean health authorities.

The polar expedition ship at the centre of the Atlantic hantavirus outbreak
The MV Hondius is a Dutch-flagged polar expedition vessel operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, designed for some of the world's most remote waters.

The company describes it as the world's first-registered Polar Class 6 vessel, built to navigate ice-strengthened seas around Antarctica and the Arctic.

The 107.6-metre ship typically takes passengers on expedition cruises lasting between 10 and 19 days, with prices starting from around $7,800 per person.

Its passengers tend to be adventurous travellers aged between 45 and 65, though the company says guests range from their 30s to their 80s.

On this voyage, the Hondius had departed Ushuaia in southern Argentina — a common gateway to Antarctica — on 20 March, heading north toward Cape Verde off the west coast of Africa.

It is now docked in Praia, the Cape Verdean capital, with around 150 tourists from various countries on board, according to South African health authorities.

The Foreign Office said it was closely monitoring the situation and stood ready to support British nationals if needed.

Foreign Office in touch with cruise company on potential virus outbreak
The Foreign Office said it is monitoring reports of hantavirus outbreak aboard the MS Hondius cruise ship.

Here is the ministry statement in full:
"We are closely monitoring reports of a potential hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship Hondius and stand ready to support British nationals if needed.

We are in touch with the cruise company and local authorities."
What are the symptoms of hantavirus?

Symptoms of hantavirus vary depending on which syndrome it causes, but both can be severe.

HPS, which affects the lungs, typically begins one to eight weeks after exposure.

Early symptoms include fatigue, fever and muscle aches — particularly in the thighs, hips, back and shoulders.

These can progress rapidly to breathing difficulties as the lungs fill with fluid.

HFRS, which affects the kidneys, usually develops within one to two weeks of exposure, though in rare cases it can take up to eight weeks.

Initial symptoms come on suddenly and include intense headaches, back and abdominal pain, fever, chills, nausea and blurred vision.

The WHO has said the virus requires "careful patient monitoring, support and response."
Hantavirus is a rare infection passed to humans from rodents — typically through contact with their urine, droppings or saliva, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It can also spread through a bite or scratch from an infected rodent, though this is uncommon.

While rare, the WHO has said it can also spread between people.

The virus causes two distinct syndromes.

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, or HPS, is a severe disease affecting the lungs.

Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome, or HFRS, affects the kidneys.

Both can be fatal.

There is no specific treatment or cure, but early medical attention can improve the chances of survival.

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