A recent and tragic public health incident involving a suspected cluster of hantavirus infections—a rare, severe respiratory illness transmitted primarily through contact with infected rodent droppings—aboard the MV Hondius expedition cruise ship in the South Atlantic Ocean during early May 2026.

The event, which has resulted in at least three confirmed deaths and several hospitalizations, has led to the ship being denied docking privileges, mass evacuations, and international health alerts from organizations like the WHO.