Health authorities have confirmed that all 38 Filipino crew members aboard a cruise ship affected by a hantavirus outbreak in the Atlantic are safe and have tested negative for the virus.

The update was shared during a public briefing by Philippine Department of Health (DOH) spokesperson Albert Domingo, who said there have been no reports of infection among the Filipino crew. The statement was based on ongoing coordination with the World Health Organization.

“We have not received any reports so far… We are in close coordination,” Domingo said, reassuring families and the wider crew community.

The situation follows a serious health incident onboard the expedition cruise ship Hondius, currently held off the coast of Cape Verde. According to the latest WHO update, seven people have been identified as part of the outbreak cluster, including two confirmed hantavirus cases and five additional suspected infections.

Among those affected, three passengers have died, one remains in critical condition, and three others are experiencing mild symptoms.

The vessel, which departed from Argentina in March, was carrying mainly British, American, and Spanish passengers. Around 150 people remain onboard as authorities work on medical evacuations and further containment measures.

Health teams are continuing to monitor the situation closely, with evacuation plans underway to ensure the safety of passengers still at sea. Officials have also emphasized that, as of now, no hantavirus cases have been recorded in the Philippines in 2026.

Hantavirus is typically linked to exposure to infected rodents and can cause severe respiratory illness. While rare, the virus requires careful monitoring and rapid response when detected in confined environments such as ships.

Authorities say coordination between international health bodies and the ship’s operators remains ongoing as the situation develops.