What is hantavirus? The mysterious disease linked to the virus-hit cruise ship

6 May 2026, 19:35 Updated: 1h ago What are the symptoms of the virus linked to the deadly MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak 6 May 2026, 19:35 | Updated: 1h ago Medics escort a patients, evacuated from the MV Hondius cruise ship with suspected hantavirus infection, to an ambulance after being flown to Schiphol airport. Picture: Alamy Three passengers are dead, several more are seriously ill and concern is growing after a hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship. But what is the virus at the centre of this health scare - and how does it spread? Authorities are continuing to monitor the outbreak linked to the ship MV Hondius after multiple passengers became infected during a voyage from Argentina to Cape Verde.As of May 6, three passengers have died, including a German citizen and a Dutch couple.The cruise is currently still at sea after Canary Islands refusing to let them dock over fears the virus could spread further.Some 149 people from 23 countries remain on the MV Hondius under "strict precautionary measures", including isolation and hygiene protocols, according to cruise operator Oceanwide Expeditions.Read more: Hantavirus cruise ship - key events from the MV Hondius outbreak so farRead more: Birdwatching trip to Argentinian rubbish dump blamed for rat virus outbreak that has killed three on cruise ship Picture: Getty A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson told LBC: "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."It has been reported everyone remaining on the boat is showing no symptoms of hantavirus.Here is all we know about it. Dutch hospitals prepare for the possible arrival of passengers evacuated from the hantavirus-hit MV Hondius cruise ship. Picture: Getty What is hantavirus?According to the UKHSA, hantavirus is a group of viruses typically carried by rodents, including rats and mice. Humans can become infected through contact with infected rodent urine, saliva, or droppings, particularly in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces. Picture: Alamy What are the symptoms of hantavirus?Symptoms of the virus can initially resemble flu-like illnesses and often appear between one to four weeks after exposure, but there are reports of symptoms occurring up to eight weeks after exposure.According to health experts, symptoms can include:FeverExtreme fatigueMuscle achesStomach painNauseaVomitingDiarrhoeaShortness of breath Picture: Getty How is the outbreak being monitored?The WHO said health authorities across several countries are investigating the outbreak through laboratory testing, contact tracing and onboard monitoring.Passengers on the MV Hondius have been asked to isolate, follow strict hygiene measures and watch for symptoms while medical teams continue testing and treatment efforts. two people in hazmat suits descending from a Bombardier Challenger 605 medical plane allegedly carrying some of the passengers from the cruise ship MV Hondius. Picture: Getty Is there a vaccine or treatment for hantavirus? There is no specific cure for hantavirus, but early medical treatment can improve survival rates. Patients with severe symptoms may require oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation or dialysis, with the most serious cases treated in intensive care. There is currently no widely available vaccine, although some vaccines are used in China and South Korea against local strains of the virus. How common is hantavirus? Around 150,000 cases of hantavirus-related illnesses are reported globally each year, mostly in Europe and Asia, according to the National Institutes of Health. In the US, 890 hantavirus cases were recorded between 1993 and 2023. Betsy Arakawa, wife of Gene Hackman, died from a respiratory illness linked to hantavirus. Picture: Getty Have there been recent hantavirus cases? In February 2025, Betsy Arakawa, wife of actor Gene Hackman, died from a respiratory illness linked to hantavirus. Investigators later found rodent nests and dead rodents in outbuildings on the propertyFor more information on hantavirus symptoms and transmission, you can visit the UK Health Security Agency guidance.

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