Health authorities have confirmed that all 38 Filipino crew members serving aboard the expedition vessel Hondius remain unaffected by the suspected hantavirus outbreak in the Atlantic, with testing returning negative results in each case.
The update was delivered during a public briefing by a spokesperson for the Philippine Department of Health, who indicated that no infections had been reported among the Filipino contingent. It was further conveyed that the department continued to coordinate closely with the World Health Organization in monitoring developments and maintaining communication with relevant authorities.
The situation follows an earlier incident aboard the ship of Oceanwide Expeditions/fleet, which remains off the coast of Cape Verde under observation. According to the latest available information, 7 individuals have been linked to the outbreak cluster, including 2 confirmed cases of hantavirus and 5 additional suspected infections. Of those affected, 3 passengers have died, one remains in critical condition, and others are reported to have experienced milder symptoms.
The voyage, which commenced in Argentina in March, carried a largely international complement of passengers, with approximately 150 individuals still on board as containment measures and medical arrangements proceed.
Health officials are continuing to oversee the situation, with evacuation procedures under consideration and ongoing surveillance in place. It has also been noted that no cases of hantavirus have been recorded within the Philippines during 2026. The illness, typically associated with exposure to infected rodents, is known for its potential to cause severe respiratory complications, particularly in enclosed environments such as ships, where close monitoring remains essential.