MV Hondius cruise ship operator breaks silence on fatal Hantavirus outbreak on board

The operator of a cruise ship where three people have died amid a suspected Hantavirus outbreak that has also left a Brit tourist fighting for life says two crews members have also needed "urgent medical care". Oceanwide Expeditions says it is currently managing "a serious medical situation" on board the MV Hondius after three Dutch nationals, including a couple aged 69 and 70, sadly died. One Brit is fighting for his life in a Johannesburg hospital, while two crew members still on board the vessel require urgent medical care. Hantavirus is typically contracted by inhaling infected rodent urine, droppings or saliva. In rare cases, it can spread between people, leading to severe, life-threatening respiratory failure. In a statement, Oceanwide said: "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 23:00hrs 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." It said local health authorities are yet to make a decision regarding the transfer of two sick individuals into medical care in Cape Verde. The statement adds: "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." Oceanwide Expeditions said it is working closely with local and international authorities, including WHO, RIVM, relevant embassies, and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "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 statement adds. Hantavirus is the same disease that killed Gene Hackman's wife, Betsy Arakawa in February last year. Nests and dead rodents were found in outbuildings of the home where Ms Arakawa lived with her Oscar-winning husband, according to records by the New Mexico Department of Public Health. US officials confirmed that Ms Arakawa, 65, died from a respiratory illness linked to hantavirus a week before her husband, 95, who was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease. The couple were found in their home in February last year. A letter sent to passengers on board the MV Hondius has explained that they are effectively unable to leave the vessel as it sits "anchored offshore of Cape Verde and awaiting approval [...] to disembark." Crew have admitted there is still no clarity on when help will arrive, reports MailOnline. "At this stage, we do not have any information regarding the timeline moving forward," the letter says.