Health officials are investigating whether passengers aboard the MV Hondius contracted hantavirus before boarding in Argentina, following the deaths of three people on the Dutch cruise ship. The vessel departed from Argentina bound for Cape Verde.
Historical Context of Hantavirus in Argentina
An outbreak in rural Patagonia 30 years ago led scientists to document the first person-to-person transmission of hantavirus, previously known only to spread via rodents. Another outbreak nearly a decade ago, also in Patagonia, provided detailed evidence of inter-human transmission when an infected rural worker attended a birthday party, resulting in 11 deaths.
Current Investigation
The World Health Organization has ruled out an epidemic but is investigating whether transmission occurred before boarding. Tests on survivors confirmed infection with the Andes strain, the only strain documented to spread between humans, found mainly in Argentina and Chile.
Argentinian scientists note that despite a slight increase in cases, the country is not facing a new phenomenon. Dr Roberto Debbag, an infectious disease specialist, stated: “Argentina is used to dealing with hantavirus. Since 1996, there have always been cases and outbreaks, but nothing has really changed.”
Recent Case Numbers
Since July last year, Argentina recorded 101 hantavirus cases with 32 deaths. Previous seasons saw 64 cases and 14 deaths in 2024-25, and 82 cases with 13 deaths in 2023-24. The increase may be linked to rodent behaviour influenced by climate change.
Climate Change and Rodent Behaviour
Dr Raúl González Ittig, a biologist at the National University of Córdoba, attributed the rise to a significant drought in 2023-2024 followed by increased rainfall, leading to more vegetation and food for rodents. “Global climate change is altering everything, and that could lead to hantavirus cases emerging in places where they had not previously occurred,” he said.
Argentina remains within its historical average of about 100 cases annually, far below China and South Korea, which report thousands of cases yearly. However, the fatality rate in the Americas can reach 50%, compared to up to 15% in Asia and Europe.
WHO and Political Context
The WHO has stated the risk to the general population is “absolutely low,” noting person-to-person transmission is not easy. Argentina’s health ministry plans to capture rodents along the route taken by the Dutch couple who first developed symptoms. The ministry reiterated that infection in Argentina is not confirmed, as Tierra del Fuego has had no cases in 30 years.
WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged Argentina to reconsider its decision to leave the WHO, following the example of the US. He said: “Viruses don’t care about our politics and they don’t care about our borders. Solidarity is our best immunity.”
Dr Ittig expressed concern that President Javier Milei’s spending cuts in science, education, and healthcare could hinder efforts to combat hantavirus. “The experience and knowledge to tackle the hantavirus exist, and Argentina has them. The problem is that investment is needed – and that is not what is happening now.”
