Hantavirus Outbreak aboard the MV Hondius (2026)
Final case count — May 24, 2026
Update May 12: The woman suspected as a secondary P2P case tested negative across all laboratory assays. Person-to-person transmission has been officially ruled out by the WHO. The 3rd death was reclassified as a cardiac event unrelated to ANDV (autopsy, May 13). Andes virus remains the only hantavirus with known P2P potential — but it was not confirmed in this outbreak.
Situation Summary
WHO emphasizes that the risk of infection for people who were not aboard the MV Hondius and have not had close, prolonged contact with a confirmed case is extremely low. This outbreak is not the next COVID — Andes virus does not spread through the air in open spaces or through casual contact.
Outbreak Timeline
Chile reaches 41 cases in 2026 · Hondius at week 2/8 monitoring with no incidents
Chile's Ministry of Health confirmed 2 new Andes virus cases in the Aysén region, bringing the 2026 season total to 41 cases and 13 deaths (31.7% case fatality rate). Epidemiological surveillance remains heightened across Chilean Patagonia. Regarding the Hondius outbreak, the WHO reports that all 206 repatriated passengers continue to be asymptomatic at the start of monitoring week 2. No new cases linked to the ship have been reported in any of the 28 repatriation countries.
WHO publishes Hondius lessons-learned report
The WHO published its preliminary lessons-learned report on the Hondius outbreak. Key takeaways: (1) the early-warning system between Argentina, Chile, and the WHO functioned correctly; (2) the repatriation of 206 passengers from 28 countries within 24 hours of docking was rated a 'model operation'; (3) clear risk communication ('this is not the next COVID') successfully prevented unnecessary public panic. The WHO will recommend to the expedition cruise industry that mandatory hantavirus risk briefings be implemented before every shore excursion in endemic areas.
Germany confirms final patient discharge · Argentina reaches 107 cases in 2025–2026 season
The Robert Koch Institute confirmed the definitive discharge of the German national hospitalized in Munich, the third confirmed Andes virus case in the Hondius outbreak. His prognosis is favorable, with outpatient follow-up scheduled. In parallel, Argentina's Ministry of Health reported 3 new cases in Río Negro and Chubut provinces, raising the cumulative total since June 2025 to 107 infections. The autumn season continues with active epidemiological surveillance across Patagonia.
ECDC publishes final technical assessment of Hondius outbreak
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) published its final technical report on the Hondius outbreak. Key findings: (1) all confirmed cases contracted Andes virus during shore excursions in Patagonia, not aboard the ship; (2) no secondary transmission was detected in any of the 28 repatriation countries; (3) risk for the European population is now rated LOW. The ECDC recommends mandatory hantavirus risk briefings for passengers on expedition cruises operating in endemic areas.
South Africa discharges last Hondius patient — no active hospitalizations remain
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) of South Africa confirmed the hospital discharge of the South African citizen who had been the longest-hospitalized patient since the outbreak began. He is the last Hondius patient to be formally discharged. With this discharge, the MV Hondius outbreak has zero active hospitalizations. The 206 repatriated passengers continue home surveillance (week 2 of 8, through approximately July 5, 2026) with no new cases reported in any country.
Week 2 monitoring — zero new cases, all hospitalized patients discharged or in general wards
At the start of the second monitoring week, the WHO confirmed that none of the 206 repatriated passengers across 28 countries has developed symptoms consistent with hantavirus. Germany announced that the patient hospitalized at the Klinikum Großhadern in Munich had passed the critical phase and is progressing favorably. The last active hospitalization linked to Hondius — the South African patient — remains in a general ward in Cape Town with stable prognosis. No new cases in any of the 28 repatriation countries.
Switzerland discharges Hondius patient · South Africa moves out of ICU · outbreak stable
The Swiss Hondius patient was discharged from hospital on Saturday, becoming the first survivor of the outbreak to be formally discharged. In South Africa, the Cape Town patient was transferred from the ICU to a general ward with a favorable prognosis. The 206 repatriated passengers continue home surveillance (week 1 of the 8-week maximum incubation period). The WHO confirmed the Hondius outbreak remains in stable monitoring phase with no new linked cases.
Netherlands publishes final report · Argentina reaches 104 cases · ECDC issues cruise protocol
The Dutch National Institute for Public Health (RIVM) published its final report on the two fatalities: both were over 68 with pre-existing pulmonary conditions; infection occurred during Patagonian shore excursions before boarding. The RIVM recommends mandatory hantavirus information protocols for expedition cruise passengers visiting endemic areas. Argentina reported 3 new cases in Río Negro (autumn season), bringing the national total to 104 since June 2025. The ECDC issued technical guidance for expedition cruise operators on Patagonian routes.
WHO moves to monitoring phase · MV Hondius cleared for inspection · final balance
WHO officially declared the transition to the active monitoring phase for the Hondius outbreak. Spanish authorities released the MV Hondius for technical inspection; operators estimate the ship could resume operations in 4–6 weeks. Final balance: 6 confirmed Andes virus cases, 2 deaths from ANDV, no secondary person-to-person transmission confirmed. The 206 repatriated passengers continue under home surveillance.
WHO updates DON 599 — 3rd death reclassified, final toll: 2 ANDV deaths
WHO publishes an update to DON 599 revising the death count: the third fatality has been reclassified as a cardiac event unrelated to Andes virus, confirmed by autopsy. Final confirmed toll: 2 deaths from ANDV (both Dutch nationals), 6 confirmed cases total. Canada clears its 3 suspected cases. WHO announces the transition from emergency to active monitoring phase.
WHO rules out person-to-person transmission · ECDC downgrades risk to Moderate
The WHO confirmed that the woman suspected as a secondary P2P case has tested negative across all laboratory assays. Person-to-person transmission is officially ruled out. ECDC updates its risk assessment from HIGH to MODERATE for the European population. Singapore and France report that all their suspected contacts have tested negative. The CDC lifts quarantine for the 17 US passengers in Nebraska — all results negative.
Repatriation complete — 206 passengers under home quarantine in 28 countries
All 10 repatriation flights have departed. The 206 passengers are now dispersed across 28 countries under active health surveillance — temperature monitoring for the 8-week maximum incubation period. The 17 US citizens landed in Omaha, Nebraska under federal CDC quarantine. CCAES Spain confirmed no confirmed cases among Spanish nationals. WHO continues active investigation of the suspected P2P case (the woman who did not travel aboard). The ship remains in Tenerife under sanitary inspection.
MV Hondius docks at Tenerife — 358 emergency personnel deployed, repatriation begins
The MV Hondius arrived at the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife on the morning of May 10. The Canary Islands government deployed 358 emergency personnel (health inspectors, civil protection, sanidad exterior). 10 repatriation flights were scheduled for the 206 passengers of 28 nationalities: 6 EU flights and 4 non-EU routes, including a charter to Omaha, Nebraska for 17 US citizens. All passengers undergo medical evaluation before disembarkation. No new confirmed cases on board. The Spanish Ministry of Health confirms no confirmed cases among Spanish citizens.
WHO Director-General flies to Tenerife — 2 deaths confirmed Andes virus
The WHO Director-General flew personally to Tenerife to coordinate the international response. Two deaths are officially confirmed as caused by Andes virus (ANDV) — both Dutch nationals. A third death remains under investigation. The ship is in Canarian waters, en route to Granadilla de Abona port.
CDC deploys team to Canary Islands — 5 US states monitoring
The CDC sends epidemiologists and medical personnel to the Canary Islands to conduct exposure risk assessments for American passengers. At least 5 US states are monitoring passengers who have already disembarked. The ship remains in Cape Verdean waters with approximately 150 passengers and crew from 23 nationalities. Patients are hospitalized in: Netherlands, Germany, South Africa, Saint Helena, and Switzerland.
WHO updates: 6 confirmed, 9 suspected — index case traced
WHO raises confirmed case count to 6. Three deaths reported (1 confirmed hantavirus-caused, 2 under investigation). Argentina publishes the index case report: Dutch citizen who traveled through South America for four months before boarding. Among the 9 suspected cases is a woman who did NOT travel aboard the Hondius, raising the possibility of secondary person-to-person transmission. The CDC classifies the response as Level 3 emergency. WHO notes 'more cases may be reported' but confirms this is 'not the next COVID.'
International contact tracing begins — 10+ countries
Health authorities in Singapore, the United States (Texas), Switzerland, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, and South Africa begin tracing passengers. Singapore reports two men, approximately 60 years old, in self-isolation and undergoing testing. Two passengers are monitored by the CDC in Texas. ECDC publishes its preliminary rapid risk assessment.
Spain agrees to allow Hondius docking in Canary Islands
The Spanish government negotiates with WHO to allow the MV Hondius to dock at Granadilla de Abona port in Tenerife. The Ministry of Health activates the CCAES emergency alert system and establishes mandatory quarantine protocols for Spanish passengers. Three critically ill patients are airlifted to hospitals in the Netherlands and Germany.
WHO issues Disease Outbreak Notice 599
The WHO publishes DON #599 confirming a cluster of Andes virus infections linked to the MV Hondius expedition cruise ship. Three passengers have died at the time of publication — a Dutch couple and a German national. WHO assesses the risk to the general public as LOW.
MV Hondius departs Argentina — pre-ship exposure suspected
The index case, a Dutch citizen, had completed a four-month road trip through Chile, Uruguay, and Argentina (November 27, 2025 – April 1, 2026) before boarding. Argentine health officials published a detailed report of his movements. WHO's working hypothesis is that infection occurred during land excursions in areas inhabited by the long-tailed rice rat (Oligoryzomys longicaudatus), the primary reservoir of Andes virus.
Countries Linked to the Hondius Outbreak
Health authorities in more than 10 countries are actively tracing passengers and crew of the MV Hondius.
| Country | Status |
|---|---|
| Netherlands | Confirmed |
| Germany | Confirmed |
| South Africa | Confirmed |
| Switzerland | Confirmed |
| Saint Helena | Cleared |
| Singapore | Cleared |
| France | Cleared |
| United States | Quarantine lifted |
| United Kingdom | Active monitoring |
| Canada | Cleared |
| Spain | Closed · no cases |
Why This Outbreak Matters
The MV Hondius is an expedition cruise ship operating routes through Patagonia and Antarctica. Shore excursions expose passengers to ecosystems inhabited by the long-tailed rice rat (Oligoryzomys longicaudatus), the primary reservoir of Andes virus. The leading hypothesis is that cases were infected during birdwatching excursions before boarding.
The epidemiological concern is twofold: potential person-to-person transmission (the non-traveler case), and the broader 2026 regional context — Chile has recorded 41 cases and 13 deaths (32% CFR), while Argentina has registered 107 cases since June 2025, double the previous year. Researchers attribute the increase to climate change expanding the long-tailed rice rat breeding season.
Official Recommendations
If you were aboard the MV Hondius (April–May 2026)
- →Monitor your temperature and symptoms for 8 weeks from your last day on board
- →If you develop fever, severe muscle aches, or difficulty breathing: seek emergency care and report your time aboard
- →Follow any quarantine instructions you have received from your national health authority
- →US passengers: contact the CDC at 1-800-CDC-INFO or your state health department
Contacts of confirmed cases
- →Andes virus incubation period is 1–8 weeks (median: 2–4 weeks)
- →If you had close, prolonged contact with a confirmed case, consult your doctor
- →Casual contact (handshake, shared open space) does NOT constitute significant risk
General public in Europe and worldwide
- →Exposure risk is extremely low — no community transmission detected
- →No special measures are required
- →Stay informed through WHO, CDC, ECDC and national health authorities
Travelers to Patagonia or Andean regions
- →Ventilate enclosed spaces (cabins, refuges) for 30 minutes before entering
- →Do not touch or approach wild rodents, their droppings, or nesting materials
- →Inform your doctor of travel history if you develop symptoms within 8 weeks of returning