Through the Static

By Hannah Saunders

Seattle’s cruise ship season has recently kicked off, and the Port of Seattle reported a record-breaking number of passengers on 298 cruise ships in 2025. But passengers on a cruise ship sailing from Argentina towards Antarctica have become severely ill with hantavirus, and three have died. Last month, Washington joined the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), which is meant to strengthen the state’s ability to monitor and respond to global disease outbreaks.

Health officials, including at the WHO, are conducting contact tracing to figure out how hantavirus got aboard the MV Hondius ship, and who may be at risk for infection. One elderly Dutch man became fatally ill and died in the South Atlantic; His wife was experiencing symptoms, and collapsed in an airport in South Africa after landing on April 25. She died the following day. Three passengers have since been evacuated, and one is in an intensive care hospital in South Africa. Another man tested positive for hantavirus in Switzerland after leaving the cruise ship during its journey.

“Human Hantavirus infection is primarily acquired through contact with urine, faeces, or saliva of infected rodents or by touching contaminated surfaces,” the WHO said. “Exposure typically occurs during activities such as cleaning buildings with rodent infestations, though it may also occur during routine activities in heavily infested areas. Human cases are most commonly reported in rural settings, such as forests, fields, and farms, where rodents are present, and opportunities for exposure are greater.”

The zoonotic and respiratory disease is relatively uncommon on a global scale, and in 2025, eight countries in the Americas reported 229 cases and 59 deaths, according to WHO. The death rate is up to 50% in the Americas and 1-15% in Asia and Europe. There are no vaccines or specific treatment, and people should be immediately transferred to an intensive care unit or emergency department for supportive care, which primarily consists of respiratory support and providing fluids.

The remaining 147 passengers and crew members on MV Hondius are social distancing. Those infected experienced gastrointestinal symptoms, fever, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and shock. Human to human transmission is rare and has been found in the specific Andes species of the hantavirus. It can be spread through close contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids, including saliva, blood, and urine.

Seattle is a hub for cruise ships, with the season lasting from mid-April to mid-October. Last year’s record-breaking number of passengers brought in an estimated $1.2B to the local economy, and over 5,120 jobs. Local officials, including the Port of Seattle, the Washington Department of Health, and the Governor’s office have not issued any comments on the hantavirus outbreak, but the WHO offered advice:

“In the context of the current outbreak, passengers and crew members should practice frequent hand hygiene, remain vigilant of Hantavirus symptoms and undertake active symptom monitoring for 45 days.  Crew must ensure adequate environmental cleaning (avoiding dry sweeping) and ventilation in the ship. Passengers and crew members experiencing symptoms should inform medical professionals on board and self-isolate. If respiratory symptoms are present to practice respiratory etiquette and wear a medical mask.”

But Washington’s decision to join GOARN months after Trump pulled the U.S. out of the WHO puts it at an advantage, as state health officials are now collaborating with 360 public health agencies and national governments, academic centers, laboratories, and organizations, which are focused on the swift detection and prevention of public health emergencies. Washington’s public health officials will receive early warning alerts of global outbreaks; technical collaboration and support during epidemics; international training and the exchange of best practices; and support for coordinated responses to public health emergencies. 

Additionally, last October, Gov. Ferguson joined the Governor’s Public Health Alliance, where governors come together to build up coordination efforts, preparedness, and response to health crises. States involved include Oregon, California, Hawai’i, Colorado, Illinois, North Carolina, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts. 

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