WHO Confirms No Increased Transmission Risk from Hantavirus Strain

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that there are no new changes detected in the Andes strain of hantavirus found on the cruise ship MV Hondius, which may suggest increased transmissibility. Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO's Director of Epidemic and Pandemic Management, indicated that the organisation has not received information regarding any alterations to the virus's genetic sequence. This clarification comes amidst a serious incident involving the cruise ship, which is currently anchored off the coast of Cape Verde and has experienced a hantavirus outbreak.

On 6 May 2026, three individuals, including two crew members and a passenger presumed to be infected, were evacuated from the vessel. Medical flights transported them to specialised healthcare facilities following the outbreak. According to the Spanish Health Minister, the remaining passengers on board have not displayed symptoms related to the virus.

The MV Hondius, which originally set sail from Argentina on 1 April 2026, has a total of 146 individuals still onboard, including 22 British nationals. Reports indicate that three fatalities occurred during the cruise, leading to widespread concern among passengers. One passenger expressed dissatisfaction with the ship's management regarding communication about health risks, stating that passengers had not been adequately informed after the initial death.

The ship has now departed from Cape Verde and is en route to the Canary Islands, where it is scheduled to arrive in approximately three days. Despite the Spanish government's assurance of safety, the president of the Canary Islands openly opposes the ship's docking due to public health concerns. Health assessments will be conducted upon arrival, with non-symptomatic passengers expected to return home while Spanish nationals undergo further observation at a military hospital in Madrid.

The Canary Islands president, Fernando Clavijo, has expressed frustration over the situation, as health crises such as this complicate existing challenges faced by the region, including managing migrant arrivals. Passengers have reported that life aboard the ship has been hindered by fears of infection, reflecting the public's lingering anxieties following the COVID-19 pandemic. The ongoing management of this outbreak continues to draw attention as health authorities navigate complex logistical and public safety considerations.