Three passengers aboard the MV Hondius, a luxury expedition cruise ship, have died after contracting hantavirus, a rare and potentially fatal respiratory illness most commonly associated with rodent exposure. Health officials confirmed the outbreak and are working to determine how passengers were exposed to the virus during the voyage.

Hantavirus is not transmitted person-to-person but is typically contracted through direct contact with infected rodents, their urine, droppings, or saliva, or through inhalation of airborne particles contaminated with the virus. Authorities are investigating possible rodent activity aboard the vessel as the likely source of the outbreak.

The MV Hondius is an ice-class expedition ship that operates voyages to remote destinations including polar regions, where rodent infestations in port or onshore excursion sites could represent a potential exposure risk. Officials have not yet confirmed the precise location or circumstances under which passengers were infected.

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, the form of the disease most prevalent in the Americas, carries a case fatality rate of approximately 38 percent according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There is no specific treatment or vaccine for the virus, and care is largely supportive, often requiring hospitalization and intensive monitoring.

Health authorities are urging any passengers who traveled aboard the MV Hondius during the affected voyage to seek medical attention if they develop symptoms including fever, muscle aches, or difficulty breathing. An official investigation into sanitation conditions and rodent control measures on the vessel is ongoing.