SA Health Department Confirms Hantavirus in Unwell British Patient via Lab Tests
Johannesburg – The Department of Health has made an announcement regarding a British national who became ill aboard a cruise ship and was subsequently hospitalized in Sandton, testing positive for hantavirus.
Throughout the ship’s journey along South African coastlines, multiple passengers encountered serious health issues that were initially suspected 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 medical evacuation to a private health facility in Sandton for further care.
“Lab results confirmed a positive test for hantavirus—a rare but potentially deadly virus mostly spread by rodents,” the department stated in a release on Monday, 4 May 2026.
“The patient remains in critical condition, isolated, but is continuing to receive medical attention.”
The department was informed by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) about the medical situation and fatalities among passengers aboard the international cruise ship (MV Hondius), which traveled from Southern Argentina to the Canary Islands and made a stop in Cape Verde.
The ship, carrying approximately 150 tourists from various countries, departed from Ushuaia, Southern Argentina, nearly three weeks prior to this event.
During its voyage, the vessel passed by several islands, including Antarctica, the Falklands, South Georgia, Nightingale Island, Tristan, St Helena, and Ascension.
The first medical case reported involved a 70-year-old male passenger who suddenly became ill while traveling from Ushuaia to St Helena Island, exhibiting symptoms such as fever, headache, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
“Unfortunately, he passed away upon arrival at St Helena Island,” the department reported.
“His remains are currently in St Helena, awaiting 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, sadly, passed away,” the department revealed.
“Laboratory test results for this patient are still pending.”
The British national was the third passenger to become ill.
The department is working alongside the NICD and the Gauteng Health Department to conduct contact tracing, aiming to curb any further transmission of the virus by identifying and monitoring those 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 World Health Organization is coordinating a multi-national response with all affected islands and countries to contain any further spread of the disease.”