This aerial picture shows a general view of the cruise ship MV Hondius stationary off the port of Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, on May 4, 2026. Strict precautionary measures including isolation are in place on a cruise ship anchored off Cape Verde on which a suspected outbreak of hantavirus has killed three people, the cruise operator said on May 4, 2026. The Canary Islands are being "considered" for disembarkation of the boat, which has 149 people of 23 nationalities on board, after Cape Verde refused entry, Oceanwide Expeditions said in a statement. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images) AFP or licensors

4 Canadians on board cruise ship with deadly hantavirus outbreak

by · CityNews

Four Canadians are confirmed to be onboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean where a suspected outbreak of the rare hantavirus has killed three passengers and left at least three other people seriously ill.

The operator of the cruise, Oceanwide Expeditions, wrote in a press release Monday that it is still dealing with a “serious medical situation on board the m/v Hondius, which is currently off the coast of Cape Verde.”

Hantavirus is a rodent-borne illness spread by contact with rodents or their urine, saliva or droppings. WHO says that while it rarely happens, hantaviruses can also spread directly between people.

It was unclear how an outbreak could have started, and the WHO said it was investigating while working to coordinate the evacuation of two sick crew members.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.