Dutch authorities will attempt to repatriate two sick people from a cruise ship battling a suspected outbreak of hantavirus that has already claimed three lives, the vessel's operator said Monday. 

In its first statement on the crisis, Oceanwide Expeditions confirmed it was dealing with 'a serious medical situation' on board the MV Hondius, travelling from Ushuaia in Argentina to Cape Verde.

'Dutch authorities have agreed to lead a joint effort to organise the repatriation of the two symptomatic individuals on board MV Hondius from Cape Verde to the Netherlands,' the operator said. 

'If this can take place, the ministry of foreign affairs will coordinate it,' said a spokesperson from the Dutch foreign ministry.

According to several online ship–tracking sites, the ship has been stuck off the port of Praia, the capital of Cape Verde for at least 24 hours with the situation showing no signs of resolving soon.

A statement from cruise firm Oceanwide Expeditions issued on Sunday night stated that 'no authorization' has been granted from Cape Verdean authorities to allow those requiring medical care to disembark. 

Meanwhile, passengers trapped at sea face an agonising eight-week wait to learn if they have contracted the deadly rat-borne virus.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed six suspected cases of a hantavirus infection on the MV Hondius.

A 70-year-old passenger was the first to die followed by his 69-year-old wife. They are both Dutch nationals. A 69-year-old Briton was taken to Johannesburg, where he is being treated in intensive care.

According to the UK Government's hantavirus advice, symptoms typically appear anywhere from two to four weeks but can range from two days to eight weeks after exposure, meaning illness may develop in other passengers in the coming days or weeks.

The WHO said on Sunday night it was 'aware of the cases of severe acute respiratory illness on a cruise ship sailing in the Atlantic'.

It confirmed three people had died onboard - with the British man confirmed as the victim of a hantavirus infection - and said it was investigating six suspected cases in total.

 Hantaviruses - a family of viruses - are spread by rodents, in particular through contact with their urine, droppings and saliva.

They are known to cause a range of diseases in humans ranging from mild, flu-like illness to severe respiratory illness or haemorrhagic disease.

 Early symptoms can include fatigue, fever, muscle aches and intensive headaches.

They are not usually spread person-to-person and are typically only transferred via bodily fluids and close contact.

The risk of contracting the illness can be reduced through minimising contact with rodents.

Hantavirus was in the news last year, when it was confirmed that actor Gene Hackman's wife died from the rodent-borne disease. Hackman died of heart disease shortly after.

Laboratory testing and epidemiological investigations are now taking place - with medical care and support provided to passengers and crew, WHO said.

Now, new pictures h 

The South African Department of Health said the Dutch male passenger suffered fever, headache, abdominal pain and diarrhoea, and died in St Helena while his wife was taken to hospital in the Kempton Park area of South Africa after collapsing at an airport. 

A letter distributed to customers from cruise company Oceanwide Expeditions on Sunday, seen by the Daily Mail, informed them it was 'awaiting approval' for passengers to leave the ship.

The letter said: 'As you are aware, we are responding to several cases of an unidentified virus.

'We regret to share that, overnight, a guest presenting severe symptoms has passed away.

'We are currently anchored offshore of Cape Verde and awaiting approval from the Cape Verde authorities to disembark, with priority given to those who require immediate medical care.

'At this stage, we do not have authorisation from the Cape Verde authorities to disembark.'

The letter went on to advise that all those onboard continue to 'follow best practices, wear face masks, maintain distancing, and, where possible, minimise contact with fellow guests'.

It added: 'Please remain assured that we are applying pressure through all available channels, including at the diplomatic level, to provide urgent care to individuals presenting severe symptoms and to ensure all guests aboard can be properly supported within an adequate health screening process.'

However, one passenger told the Daily Mail: 'We have not heard from Oceanwide at all. We still have friends on the ship.'

Speaking on social media, a Turkish passenger on the ship said his 'Irish friend' was receiving treatment in South Africa - but that, fortunately, his condition was 'improving'.

He wrote: 'Normally, human-to-human transmission is not common. However, we are in a very complicated situation. Please keep us in your thoughts.

'We will complete this ocean crossing. Since we are not allowed to go ashore in Cape Verde, most likely we will head to the Canary Islands. We hope to be in good condition there.'

The hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius marks the fourth cruise ship outbreak this year. 

This follows a record 2025, where 23 reported illnesses reached a 10-year high.

Speaking to the BBC, epidemiologist Michael Baker said the passengers who had the suspected hantavirus would have been infected before boarding the ship due to its long incubation period. 

He said those with symptoms should be 'rapidly evacuated' and taken to intensive care units to increase their chances of survival.

The vessel can accommodate around 170 passengers and has some 70 crew members.

The Foreign Office told the Daily Mail: 'We are closely monitoring reports of a potential hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship Hondius and stand ready to support British nationals if needed.

'We are in touch with the cruise company and local authorities.'

 Oceanwide Expeditions has been contacted for comment.