Hantavirus on Board an Ocean Liner in the Atlantic: WHO Does Not Rule Out Human-to-Human Transmission

May 5, 2026 Healthy wound

An outbreak of a deadly disease has triggered an international response in the field of public health. According to Maria Van Kerkhove, Acting Director of WHO for Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention, seven out of 147 passengers and crew members have fallen ill, three have died. She noted that the situation is developing dynamically.

“One patient is on a ventilator in the intensive care unit in South Africa, but, according to our information, his condition is improving,” he noted. Two more patients, on board a vessel near the coast of Cabo Verde, are being prepared for medical evacuation to the Netherlands for treatment.

Disinfection on board

Van Kerowe reported that as a precautionary measure, passengers were asked to stay in their cabins while disinfection and other sanitary measures were carried out. Medical teams from Cabo Verde are providing assistance on board.

“Our main priority is to carry out the medical evacuation of these two people,” he emphasized, adding that this is necessary to provide them with proper assistance.

There are no other patients with symptoms on board. The third suspected case is a passenger who previously had a slight fever and “currently feels fine,” reported a WHO representative.

The ship should continue its route to the Canary Islands. Van Kerkhove noted that WHO is interacting with the Spanish authorities, who are ready to accept the ship for a full epidemiological investigation, disinfection, and risk assessment for the passengers.

Hantaviruses are transmitted by rodents and can cause severe diseases in humans. It is estimated that thousands of cases of infection are registered annually. People usually become infected through contact with infected rodents, and their urine, feces, or saliva.

Possible sources of the flare

Speaking about the possible source of the outbreak, Van Kerove said that the first patients—a married couple—boarded a ship in Argentina. “Considering the incubation period of the coronavirus, which can range from one to six weeks, we assume that they were infected outside the ship,” he said. According to him, it concerns an expedition vessel where many passengers were engaged in observing birds and wildlife.

The liner called at several islands off the coast of Africa, some of which are distinguished by a large number of rodents. “Perhaps, for some other presumed cases, these very islands became the source of infection,” he noted. “However, we also believe that among people who had close contact, for example spouses and those who shared cabins, the transmission of the infection from person to person could occur.”

The transmission of the virus from person to person occurs rarely; however, during the recent outbreak of the Andes virus, which belongs to the hantavirus group, limited cases of infection among close contacts were recorded.

Treatment of viral infection

There is no specific treatment for antiviral infection; supportive therapy is used. “As a rule, patients develop respiratory symptoms, so respiratory support is extremely important,” explained Van Kerkhove, emphasizing that in some cases artificial lung ventilation is required.

Addressing the passengers of the vessel, among whom were representatives of more than 20 nationalities, she stated: “We want you to know: we are working in contact with the vessel operator and the countries of passenger origin.”

“We hear you. We know that you are scared,” he added. “We try to provide the crew and passengers with all the necessary information, to offer help and, of course, to help you return home safe and sound.”