Dozens of passengers left hantavirus-stricken cruise ship after first fatality

Health authorities were monitoring people or trying to trace others who may have come into contact with cruise passengers on at least four continents

The MV Hondius cruise ship departs the port in Praia, Cape Verde, Wednesday, May 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)

More than two dozen passengers from at least 12 different countries left a cruise ship hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak on April 24 without contact tracing, nearly two weeks after the first passenger died on board, the ship operator and Dutch officials said Thursday.

The news raised concerns that the virus could spread as travelers returned home, although experts say the risk to the wider public is considered low as hantavirus isn’t easily transmitted between people.