The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) issued prevention guidance following a lethal hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship.

The incident highlights the risks of zoonotic diseases in confined travel environments and the potential for rapid international spread among diverse passenger groups.

The outbreak occurred on the MV Hondius, an expedition vessel that had departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, and was traveling toward Cabo Verde. The situation was detected while the ship was docked in Tenerife, Spain. Three people died during the outbreak [1].

At the time of the incident, the ship carried 88 passengers [2] and 59 crew members [3]. Those on board represented 23 different nationalities [4]. Because of the international nature of the passenger list, health authorities in seven U.S. states began monitoring travelers [5].

Hantavirus is typically transmitted to humans from infected rodents. Preliminary investigations suggest the outbreak may have originated from a terrestrial source before passengers boarded the ship [6]. However, reports on the transmission method vary. Some sources indicate the virus is transmitted by rodents or occasionally from person to person [7], while other preliminary findings suggest a terrestrial origin that would imply no person-to-person spread occurred on the vessel [6].

The CDC and WHO published the guide to help the public avoid infection and manage risks associated with the virus. Health officials said the importance of sanitation and avoiding contact with rodent droppings is key to prevent further cases.

“Three people died during the outbreak”

The MV Hondius outbreak underscores the vulnerability of the global cruise industry to zoonotic pathogens. While hantavirus is not typically associated with shipboard transmission, the involvement of passengers from 23 nationalities necessitates a coordinated international response to prevent localized clusters in various home countries.