SA Health Department Confirms Hantavirus in Sick British Patient Through Laboratory Tests

Johannesburg – The Department of Health has reported that a British national who became ill aboard a cruise ship and was taken to a hospital in Sandton has tested positive for hantavirus.

While the ship navigated along the South African coast, multiple passengers experienced severe health complications that were initially believed to be severe acute respiratory infections.

The British passenger was one of those affected.

Despite receiving treatment at Ascension, his condition did not improve, leading to his evacuation to a private health facility in Sandton for advanced care.

“His laboratory results showed a positive test for hantavirus—a rare but potentially deadly virus mainly spread by rodents,” the department stated in a release dated Monday, May 4, 2026.

“The patient is in critical condition, isolated, but is receiving appropriate medical care.”

The department received notifications from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) regarding the medical complications and fatalities among passengers aboard the international cruise ship (MV Hondius), which was traveling from Southern Argentina to the Canary Islands, with a stop in Cape Verde.

The vessel, carrying around 150 tourists from various countries, left Ushuaia, Southern Argentina, nearly three weeks before this incident.

During its journey, the ship passed various islands, including the mainland of Antarctica, the Falklands, South Georgia, Nightingale Island, Tristan, St Helena, and Ascension.

The department noted that the first patient was a 70-year-old male passenger who suddenly fell ill while traveling from Ushuaia to St Helena Island, presenting symptoms such as fever, headache, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

“Unfortunately, he passed away upon arrival at St Helena Island,” the department stated.

“His remains are currently in St Helena, pending repatriation to the Netherlands.”

The second affected passenger was a 69-year-old female, the partner of the first patient, who collapsed at OR Tambo International Airport while trying to connect to a flight back to the Netherlands.

“She was taken to a nearby medical facility in Kempton Park for treatment but, regrettably, also passed away,” the department disclosed.

“Laboratory test results for this patient are still awaited.”

The British national was the third passenger to fall ill.

The department emphasized that it is working in collaboration with the NICD and the Gauteng Health Department to conduct contact tracing, aiming to prevent further transmission of the virus by identifying and monitoring anyone who may have been in contact with the infected patients.

“We believe there is no cause for public concern as only two patients from the cruise ship have entered our borders,” the department reassured the public.

“The World Health Organization is coordinating a multi-nation response with all affected islands and countries to contain any further spread of the disease.”