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The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently reported growing concern around the Hantavirus - a group of zoonotic viruses carried by rodents that can cause disease in humans.
On Monday, the Johannesburg Health District confirmed a rare cluster of hantavirus infections involving passengers from the cruise ship MV Hondius, which was travelling from Argentina toward the Canary Islands and passing South African shores.
The first case involved a 70-year-old man who became ill while travelling from Ushuaia to Saint Helena Island. He passed away upon arrival on the island. His 69-year-old wife later collapsed at OR Tambo International Airport while attempting to catch a connecting KLM flight to the Netherlands. She was taken to Kempton Park for medical treatment, but also died. Health authorities are currently treating another patient in Johannesburg who was onboard the ship and medically evacuated to Johannesburg from Ascension Island via an Airlink charter after his condition deteriorated.
KLM has since confirmed that passengers who may have been in close contact with the deceased have been traced and notified through Dutch public health authorities to undergo testing. Meanwhile, Airlink also issued a statement to address the concerns:
" The World Health Organisation and South African public health authorities are responding to a number of Hantavirus cases involving people on an Atlantic Ocean cruise ship. One of the ship’s passengers left the cruise at St Helena Island with the intention of returning to the Netherlands by air via Johannesburg onboard Airlink’s flight, 4Z 132, from the island on 25th April 2026. In total, there were 82 passengers and 6 crew onboard the flight," Airlink announced.
The airline has since contacted passengers who may have been at risk.
On Wednesday, the WHO reported a separate event. 'Swiss authorities have confirmed a case of #hantavirus identified in a passenger from the MV Hondius cruise ship. He had responded to an email from the ship’s operator informing the passengers of the health event, and presented himself to a hospital in Zurich, Switzerland, and is receiving care,' it reported.
Human-to-human transmission
Hantavirus is primarily contracted through exposure to infected rodents, specifically their urine, droppings, or saliva. Human-to-human transmission has been reported in previous outbreaks of Andes virus (a specific hantavirus species).
According to the BBC, the two cases evacuated from the ship and brought to South Africa for treatment contracted the Andes strain of the virus, which is the only of the 38 variants known to be transferable between humans. However, it typically requires close and sustained contact.
WHO also states that 'activities that involve contact with rodents, such as cleaning enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces, farming, forestry work and sleeping in rodent-infested dwellings, increase exposure risk.'
Preventative measures
Health officials advise the following:
- Keep living and work spaces clean, and remember to wear protective gear.
- Seal openings where rodents can enter.
- Store food securely
- Use safe cleaning methods if rodent droppings are present
- Use hand sanitisers
- American Lung Association advises that people should avoid sweeping waste and debris, as this can disturb and spread the virus into the air. Instead, dampen dead rodents and any affected areas using alcohol, household disinfectant, or a bleach solution. Once the area is thoroughly moistened, carefully wipe away the debris with a towel, then finish by mopping the surface with disinfectant.
Cure and treatment
Currently, there is no cure for the Hantavirus. Symptoms usually begin between one and eight weeks after exposure and include fatigue, fever, and muscle aches. As the illness progresses, individuals may experience headaches, dizziness, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain. Currently, there is reportedly no specific antiviral treatment licensed for the virus; however, care is supportive and focuses on monitoring and managing symptoms.
A call for calm
Authorities have urged the public to remain calm, noting that while transmission is possible, the situation is currently contained.
On Monday, the Johannesburg Health District told residents not to panic.
"In our view, there is no need for the public to panic because only two patients from the cruise ship have been within our borders. The World Health Organisation is coordinating a multi-country response with all affected islands and countries to contain further spread of the disease"
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