Swiss man tests positive for hantavirus after returning from cruise linked to deadly outbreak

A Swiss antheral who returned from a cruise linked to a deadly hantavirus outbreak has tested affirmative and been isolated, arsenic wellness officials accidental the strain progressive tin dispersed betwixt radical successful uncommon cases — though the wide hazard remains low.

Health authorities successful Switzerland confirmed the antheral precocious traveled aboard the MV Hondius, the cruise vessel astatine the halfway of an outbreak that has already killed 3 passengers and sickened respective others.

Swiss wellness officials said the antheral sought aesculapian attraction aft processing symptoms and was instantly placed successful isolation. His wife, who traveled with him, is self-isolating but has not shown symptoms.

The officials confirmed his lawsuit involves the Andes strain of hantavirus.

RARE HANTAVIRUS HUMAN-TO-HUMAN TRANSMISSION SUSPECTED ON LUXURY CRUISE SHIP WHERE 3 HAVE DIED

The MV Hondius Dutch cruise vessel is anchored successful the Atlantic Ocean disconnected Cape Verde connected May 5, 2026. (Arilson Almeida/AP)

The World Health Organization said the Andes strain is simply a uncommon signifier of hantavirus that tin dispersed betwixt humans done adjacent interaction — dissimilar astir hantavirus infections, which are typically linked to vulnerability to rodent droppings.

South African wellness authorities said they besides identified the Andes strain successful 2 different passengers who were connected the ship.

Health workers disembark from the Dutch-flagged MV Hondius cruise vessel disconnected Cape Verde connected May 4, 2026, aft 3 passengers died and respective others fell earnestly sick successful a suspected hantavirus outbreak. (Qasem Elhato/AP)

The outbreak near the Dutch-flagged cruise vessel stranded disconnected the seashore of Cape Verde, with astir 150 passengers and unit connected committee arsenic authorities scramble to incorporate the situation.

CDC REPORTS FIRST CRUISE NOROVIRUS OUTBREAK THIS YEAR, AS NEARLY 90 PEOPLE ARE INFECTED

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Wednesday that 3 suspected cases were evacuated from the vas and are being transported to the Netherlands for treatment.

"At this stage, the wide nationalist wellness hazard remains low," Tedros said.

Authorities accent that portion the Andes strain tin dispersed person-to-person, transmission remains uncommon and typically requires close, prolonged contact.

Health officials person launched monitoring efforts for passengers some connected committee and those who person already disembarked, coordinating crossed aggregate countries arsenic the probe continues.

WHAT IS HANTAVIRUS, THE CAUSE OF GENE HACKMAN’S WIFE’S DEATH?

The vessel departed Argentina connected April 1 and was scheduled to question done the Southern Atlantic, including stops successful Antarctica, earlier the outbreak disrupted its itinerary.

Spain has agreed to person the vas successful the Canary Islands, though section officials person raised concerns astir imaginable hazard to residents.

The Dutch-flagged MV Hondius cruise vessel remains disconnected Cape Verde connected May 4, 2026, aft 3 passengers died and respective others fell earnestly sick successful a suspected hantavirus outbreak. (Qasem Elhato/AP)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Hantavirus infections are uncommon but tin beryllium severe, with symptoms ranging from fever and fatigue to superior respiratory illness.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.