A deadly hantavirus outbreak linked to a remote expedition cruise has now reached Europe, after a passenger tested positive upon returning home, officials confirmed Wednesday.
Swiss health authorities reported that the man fell ill after disembarking from the MV Hondius, which had recently completed a South American voyage with his wife.
The passenger sought testing at a hospital in Zurich after the cruise operator, Oceanwide Expeditions, alerted travelers to the outbreak.
Authorities have not disclosed the man’s current condition. His wife remains symptom-free but is self-isolating as a precaution.
The virus is known to remain dormant for up to eight weeks, raising concerns that it may have already spread beyond the ship.
Despite the alarming news, Swiss officials assured the public: “There is currently no risk to the Swiss public.”
However, fears persist because the virus involved is a rare strain known as the Andes virus, which can sometimes spread between humans — a departure from typical hantavirus transmission.
Normally, hantavirus is contracted through contact with infected rodent droppings. But the Andes virus carries a mortality rate of about 40 percent, making it particularly dangerous.
Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO director for epidemic preparedness, said Tuesday that “we do believe there may be some human-to-human transmission among very close contacts.”
Globally, the outbreak has already resulted in three deaths and at least five confirmed cases, according to the World Health Organization.
The situation aboard the MV Hondius remains tense. Three suspected patients were evacuated in Cape Verde and are being transferred to the Netherlands, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus confirmed Wednesday.
“At this stage, the overall public health risk remains low,” Tedros added, highlighting that authorities are monitoring the situation closely.
The ship has been stranded off West Africa after Cape Verde denied docking permission due to health concerns.
Spain later intervened, granting the vessel permission to dock in the Canary Islands, sparking backlash from local officials. Regional leader Fernando Clavijo told Onda Cero, “I cannot allow it to enter the Canary Islands… the danger to the population is real.”
Madrid defended its decision, citing a moral and legal obligation to assist passengers, including Spanish citizens, noting that under Spain’s constitution, the national government can override regional objections.