Full Breakdown
Hantavirus Outbreak on MV Hondius Cruise Ship Reaches 12 Confirmed Cases
5/23/2026, 8:57:10 PM
Outbreak Overview
The MV Hondius, a Dutch-flagged nature-expedition cruise operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, has been linked to a hantavirus outbreak now totaling twelve laboratory-confirmed infections. Cases involve crew members and passengers from more than twenty countries. The twelfth case, a crew member who disembarked in Tenerife and was repatriated to the Netherlands, was confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday. No new deaths have occurred since the outbreak was first reported to WHO on 2 May.
Background & Origin
The vessel left Ushuaia, Argentina, on 1 April and visited remote islands before calling at Cape Verde, Tenerife and finally Rotterdam for disinfection. WHO officials believe the virus entered the ship prior to departure, likely during a bird-watching excursion where a participant was exposed to infected rodents. The strain identified is the Andes virus, the only hantavirus known to transmit from person to person.
Data & Statistics
- Confirmed infections: 12 (including three deaths)
- Persons under quarantine: roughly 150 passengers and crew, including 18 U.S. citizens
- Ongoing contact tracing: more than 600 contacts monitored in 30 countries, with a subset of high-risk contacts still being located
- Disembarked personnel: 20 crew members and two medical staff were taken to the Netherlands for evaluation
Official Statements & Responses
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged all nations to continue monitoring passengers and crew for the remainder of the quarantine period and thanked the dozens of countries cooperating in the epidemiological investigation. The Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) confirmed the positive test, noted that the patient is in isolation, and stated that the risk of further spread in the Netherlands is very small. Oceanwide Expeditions emphasized that “indications strongly suggest that the virus was introduced prior to embarkation and did not originate from the vessel itself.” Dutch authorities have instituted weekly testing of all evacuees from the ship.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We continue to urge affected countries to monitor all passengers and crew carefully for the remainder of the quarantine period,” — Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General
- “More than 600 contacts continue to be followed in 30 countries, and a small number of high-risk contacts are still being located,” — Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General
- “However, the chance of further spread in the Netherlands remains very small,” the statement said.” — RIVM spokesperson
- “The Andes virus has been detected in one person who was in quarantine in the Netherlands. The patient has since been admitted to the hospital as a precaution and is in isolation,” — RIVM spokesperson
Ongoing Monitoring & Next Steps
WHO continues its investigation into the source of the virus and will update risk assessments as new data emerge. Contact tracing will proceed in all identified jurisdictions, and any additional cases will be reported to the international community. The cruise ship remains under disinfection protocols.
