MV Hondius Hantavirus Outbreak
Andes-virus hantavirus outbreak linked to the Dutch expedition cruise ship MV Hondius, which departed Ushuaia, Argentina on April 1, 2026. Passengers disembarked in Tenerife on May 10; ship docked in Rotterdam on May 18 for disinfection. 9 confirmed + 2 probable cases, 3 deaths. No new cases since May 2. WHO (May 22): human-to-human transmission cannot be ruled out — 600+ contacts now traced across 32 countries.
Confirmed + Probable
11
cases
Deaths
3
2 lab-confirmed Andes
CFR
27.3%
this cohort
Nationalities
23
aboard the vessel
What is Andes virus?
Andes virus (ANDV) is a New World hantavirus endemic to southern Argentina and Chile. It causes hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) — a rapidly progressing illness with reported case-fatality rates of 35–50%. Its primary reservoir is the long-tailed pygmy rice rat (Oligoryzomys longicaudatus).
Andes virus is currently the only hantavirus with documented person-to-person transmission, primarily in close, sustained-contact settings such as households and healthcare exposures. WHO has repeatedly assessed the risk of broader epidemic spread as low.
Outbreak Timeline
Most recent first
May 22, 2026
WHO: human-to-human transmission cannot be ruled out; 600+ contacts traced
WHO and UN News report that subsequent onboard human-to-human transmission cannot be ruled out. Preliminary phylogenetic analysis shows near-identical Andes virus sequences across multiple cases, consistent with transmission beyond the single index-case spillover. Contact tracing has expanded dramatically: more than 600 contacts (53% high-risk, 47% low-risk) have been identified across 32 countries, territories, and areas and are under close or self-monitoring. This represents a significant expansion from the 12-country contact list at disembarkation. No additional deaths reported.
May 21, 2026
ECDC update: no new cases; ship to resume service May 29
ECDC publishes its latest assessment confirming 9 confirmed and 2 probable cases (11 total), 3 deaths. No new cases or deaths since May 2. Ship disinfection is ongoing; Oceanwide Expeditions has an Arctic expedition cruise departing Keflavik, Iceland on May 29. WHO Director-General: 'There is no sign that we're seeing the start of a larger outbreak.'
May 20, 2026
US 'inconclusive' case resolves to NEGATIVE
CDC and the University of Nebraska Medical Center confirm that the previously inconclusive US case has retested negative for Andes virus. The patient — Dr. Stephen Kornfeld, 69, a retired oncologist from Bend, Oregon, who voluntarily assisted ill passengers aboard the ship — is transferred from the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit to standard quarantine at the Davis Global Center. US confirmed case count: 0.
May 18, 2026
18 US passengers opt to remain in Nebraska through May 31
CDC confirms that 18 recently repatriated US passengers voluntarily extended their stay at the Nebraska Quarantine Facility through May 31, 2026 — the 21-day monitoring mark from their last potential exposure. No US cases have been confirmed.
May 18, 2026
MV Hondius docks in Rotterdam; disinfection begins
The ship arrives at Rotterdam Pier 7 at 10:30 a.m. local time with a skeleton crew of 25 and two medical personnel. All remaining crew are retested and the 23 crew from four countries enter quarantine in Rotterdam. A three-day ship disinfection begins per Dutch public health guidelines; authorities will inspect the vessel before it may sail again. The body of the first deceased passenger is removed for cremation. Oceanwide Expeditions states it does not anticipate changes to its cruise schedule.
May 15, 2026
Outbreak appears to plateau
No new cases or deaths reported since the previous update. ECDC assesses the risk to the EU/EEA general population as very low. Active monitoring of the 25 crew members remaining aboard the vessel continues with Dutch health workers.
May 14, 2026
Single-spillover finding
ECDC releases formal laboratory-testing guidance for high-risk contacts. Phylogenetic analysis of confirmed cases shows a high degree of genetic similarity, consistent with a single zoonotic spillover event rather than ongoing person-to-person transmission.
May 13, 2026
WHO DON601; refined cohort
WHO publishes Disease Outbreak News DON601. Cohort refined to 8 confirmed, 2 probable, and 1 inconclusive case among 11 patients, with 3 deaths (2 lab-confirmed Andes virus). ECDC holds a press conference and issues self-quarantine recommendations. Countries with repatriated passengers under monitoring expand to include Australia, Canada, Singapore, and Turkey alongside the previously named eight.
May 11–12, 2026
Additional positives announced
France confirms a symptomatic positive case; the US confirms one mildly positive case on a repatriation flight to Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. Total confirmed and probable cases reach 11. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus meets with the Prime Minister of Spain in Tenerife to coordinate the international response.
May 10, 2026
Arrival in Tenerife
Ship docks. Mass disembarkation under medical supervision. Repatriation flights coordinated to the United States, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and South Africa.
May 7, 2026
WHO global advisory
WHO issues Disease Outbreak News DON599. Risk of wider epidemic assessed as low; person-to-person transmission monitored closely given Andes virus is the only hantavirus with documented human-to-human spread.
May 6, 2026
Medical evacuation begins
Spanish Ministry of Health approves Tenerife arrival. Additional medical resources placed aboard; ship sets course for the Canary Islands.
May 4, 2026
Andes virus confirmed
PCR and gene sequencing on stored samples confirm Andes hantavirus (ANDV). Outbreak elevated to multi-country event of international concern.
May 2, 2026
Third death aboard
A third passenger dies while the ship remains at sea. WHO and ECDC notified.
April 26, 2026
Second death (Johannesburg)
The widow of the index patient is evacuated to Johannesburg and dies shortly after arrival at an emergency department.
April 24, 2026
Saint Helena stop
Ship docks at Saint Helena. Body removed; 30 passengers disembark and begin scheduled flights home. Contact tracing later extends across multiple European countries, the US, and South Africa.
April 11, 2026
First death aboard
The index patient dies at sea. Cause initially attributed to natural causes; samples retained for later testing.
April 6, 2026
Index case develops symptoms
An elderly Dutch passenger develops fever, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Earlier shore excursion included a landfill area near Ushuaia where Oligoryzomys rodents are endemic carriers of Andes virus.
April 1, 2026
Departure from Ushuaia
MV Hondius departs Ushuaia, Argentina with 147 people aboard — 88 passengers and 59 crew from 23 nationalities — for an Antarctic and South Atlantic expedition cruise.
Cases by Country
Passengers and crew were repatriated to home countries after the ship docked in Tenerife. Confirmed and suspected cases are being managed under national public-health protocols.
United States
0 confirmed. Previously inconclusive case (Dr. Stephen Kornfeld, retired oncologist who assisted ill passengers) retested NEGATIVE May 20. 18 passengers voluntarily remaining at Nebraska Quarantine Facility through May 31.
Netherlands
2 hospitalized. Index case and spouse were Dutch nationals; both deceased.
France
1 confirmed symptomatic case. French Health Minister Stéphanie Rist emphasizing rapid contact tracing.
South Africa
1 critical in intensive care, Johannesburg. 1 fatality confirmed on arrival.
Switzerland
1 hospitalized, stable condition.
United Kingdom
1 Japanese national under medical supervision; passengers transiting through Saint Helena and Heathrow being traced.
Spain
Disembarkation point at Tenerife. Quarantine facilities established; no confirmed cases among Spanish nationals to date.
Germany
Repatriated passengers under home-isolation protocol coordinated by the Robert Koch Institute.
If you were aboard the MV Hondius or a connecting flight
- • Monitor yourself for fever, severe fatigue, muscle aches, headache, or shortness of breath for at least 6 weeks after disembarkation.
- • Seek immediate medical evaluation if symptoms develop. Tell the clinician you were aboard the MV Hondius — early supportive care improves outcomes.
- • Follow contact-tracing instructions from your national health authority (CDC, RKI, RIVM, Santé Publique France, FOPH, UKHSA, NICD, or local equivalent).
- • Avoid close contact with vulnerable household members during the monitoring window as a precaution.
Official Sources
- WHO — Disease Outbreak News DON601 (May 13, updated May 21)
- WHO — Disease Outbreak News DON599: initial cluster notification
- CDC — Update on Hantavirus Outbreak Linked to M/V Hondius Cruise Ship
- ECDC — Andes hantavirus outbreak in cruise ship, May 2026
- UN News — Human spread of hantavirus not ruled out on cruise ship (May 22)
- Wikipedia — MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak