Oceanwide Expeditions confirms it is managing “a serious medical situation” amid a suspected Hantavirus outbreak
Zahra Khaliq News Reporter and Kirstie McCrum Deputy Head of News, Live News Network
11:41, 04 May 2026Updated 12:00, 04 May 2026
The cruise ship MV Hondius(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
The operator of a cruise liner where three passengers have died amid a suspected Hantavirus outbreak – which has also left a British tourist critically ill – has confirmed that two crew members have likewise required “urgent medical care”.
Oceanwide Expeditions says it is currently managing “a serious medical situation” on board the MV Hondius, following the tragic deaths of three Dutch nationals, amongst them a couple aged 69 and 70.
One British national remains in a critical condition at a Johannesburg hospital, while two crew members still aboard the vessel are in need of urgent medical attention, reports the Mirror.
Hantavirus is most commonly contracted through inhaling infected rodent urine, droppings or saliva. In rare instances, it can be transmitted between individuals, potentially causing severe, life-threatening respiratory failure.
In an official 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.”
The MV Hondius appears to have stopped off Cape Verde(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
“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.”
Local health authorities are yet to reach a decision regarding the transfer of two ailing 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 confirmed it is collaborating closely with local and international authorities, amongst them the 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.
Actor Gene Hackman with his wife Betsy Arakawa(Image: AP)
Hantavirus is the very same illness that claimed the life of Gene Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa, in February last year.
Nests and dead rodents were discovered in outbuildings at the property where Ms Arakawa resided with her Oscar-winning husband, according to records held by the New Mexico Department of Public Health.
American authorities confirmed that Ms Arakawa, 65, passed away from a respiratory illness connected to hantavirus a week prior to her husband, 95, who was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease. The couple were discovered at their home in February last year.
A letter distributed to those aboard the MV Hondius has revealed that passengers are essentially stranded on the ship, which remains “anchored offshore of Cape Verde and awaiting approval […] to disembark.”
The crew have conceded that there is still no indication of when a resolution will be reached, according to MailOnline. “At this stage, we do not have any information regarding the timeline moving forward,” the letter states.
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