Health officials investigating a rare hantavirus outbreak linked to a Dutch-flagged cruise ship now believe they may have identified how it began.
The situation has already resulted in three deaths and at least nine confirmed infections, raising concern among global health agencies.
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Outbreak linked to cruise ship passengers
The outbreak was first detected aboard the cruise vessel M/V Hondius, registered in the Netherlands. So far, three people have died and nine others have been infected, according to reports cited by CBS News.
Hantaviruses are a rare group of viruses typically spread through contact with rodents, especially through droppings, urine, or saliva.
In most cases, human infection happens after exposure to contaminated environments. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some hantavirus infections can develop into severe respiratory illness.
The specific strain involved in this outbreak is the Andes virus, which is unusual because it is one of the few hantaviruses that can spread between humans, though usually only through close and prolonged contact.
Possible source identified in remote excursion
Investigators now believe the initial exposure may have happened during a shore excursion in Ushuaia, a city in southern Argentina often described as the southernmost city in the world.
Reports suggest that a group of passengers, including a Dutch couple, may have been exposed while visiting an area near a landfill site during a birdwatching trip. That location is believed to have a significant rodent population, which would align with how hantavirus typically spreads.
Officials think the couple may have contracted the virus there and later brought it back onboard the cruise ship, allowing limited transmission to others.
International response and contact tracing
The World Health Organization has confirmed that contact tracing and monitoring efforts are underway in multiple countries linked to passengers who disembarked the ship in April. These efforts involve several nations across Europe, Asia, and North America.
Authorities are also investigating whether exposure may have occurred during a commercial flight connected to one infected passenger.
At least a dozen countries are now reportedly involved in monitoring passengers or contacts connected to the cruise, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Singapore, and others.
In the United States alone, several states have reported individuals under observation. These include cases in Georgia, Texas, Arizona, and Virginia. Officials have emphasized that none of the monitored individuals have shown symptoms so far.
Health officials try to calm public concern
Despite the seriousness of the outbreak, WHO experts have stressed that the situation is not comparable to a global pandemic like COVID-19.
WHO epidemiologist Maria Van Kerkhove stated during a briefing that while hantavirus infections can be severe, the general risk to the public remains low and most people will never be exposed.
She also noted that clear and accurate information is important to prevent unnecessary panic, especially among passengers and contacts who may be worried about possible exposure.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus confirmed that international monitoring efforts are ongoing and involve coordination across multiple health systems.
Current situation onboard and testing updates
The cruise operator Oceanwide Expeditions has stated that no current passengers or crew members aboard the M/V Hondius are showing signs of illness. However, officials caution that investigations are still ongoing and new findings could emerge.
In a related development, a KLM airline crew member who had contact with cruise passengers and was hospitalized in the Netherlands tested negative for hantavirus, according to WHO confirmation to CBS News.
Investigation still ongoing
While officials believe they may have identified the likely origin point of the outbreak, they have not ruled out additional contributing factors. Health agencies continue to monitor cases, track contacts, and investigate all possible exposure routes.
For now, the outbreak remains contained, but international health authorities are treating it with caution due to its rarity and the severe nature of infection in some cases.