Hantavirus Outbreak Aboard MV Hondius Leads to Multiple Deaths and International Response

An outbreak of the Andes strain of hantavirus aboard the MV Hondius has resulted in three confirmed deaths and several infections, prompting a coordinated international health response.

The MV Hondius, a Dutch-flagged expedition cruise ship operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, departed Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1, 2026, with approximately 150 passengers and crew. The voyage included stops at remote locations such as South Georgia, Tristan da Cunha, and Saint Helena.

The first fatality occurred on April 11, when a 70-year-old Dutch passenger died aboard the ship. His body was disembarked in Saint Helena on April 24, where his 69-year-old wife also disembarked and subsequently died in Johannesburg, South Africa. Both deaths have been linked to the Andes strain of hantavirus.

A third passenger, a German woman, died on board on May 2. Her body remains on the ship pending testing to confirm the cause of death. Additionally, a British expedition guide was medically evacuated to South Africa after presenting symptoms and remains in critical condition.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported six confirmed cases and eight suspected cases associated with the outbreak. The Andes virus is notable for its rare capability of human-to-human transmission, typically requiring close and prolonged contact.

In response to the outbreak, the MV Hondius was denied docking in Cape Verde but has been authorized to proceed to Tenerife in the Canary Islands. Passengers are isolating in their cabins, and medical teams are on board to manage the situation.

International health agencies are conducting contact tracing and monitoring individuals who disembarked during the voyage. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States is coordinating with local health agencies to monitor at least six prior passengers across multiple states.

The WHO emphasizes that the risk of a widespread epidemic is low due to the rarity of human-to-human transmission of the Andes virus. However, they continue to monitor the situation closely and provide guidance to affected countries.