WHO confirms five hantavirus cases on cruise ship; more expected due to long incubation period
WHO says the outbreak is likely limited, with 5 confirmed cases and 3 suspected after three deaths aboard the cruise ship.
- On Saturday, the MV Hondius cruise ship is scheduled to arrive in Tenerife, Spain, following a confirmed Andes-strain hantavirus outbreak that has killed three passengers and infected five others confirmed by the World Health Organization.
- Health officials believe the outbreak originated when a Dutch couple contracted the Andes virus from rodents while birdwatching in Argentina before boarding the ship on April 1, 2026.
- Dr. Stephen Kornfeld, an oncologist from Bend, Oregon, described the international response as "massive and coordinated," while the World Health Organization currently assesses the global public-health risk as low.
- Authorities are tracing passengers who disembarked at Saint Helena on April 24, 2026, while Spanish officials prepare to receive remaining travelers in a fully isolated zone ensuring "absolutely no possibility of contact" with residents.
- Given the Andes virus's incubation period of up to six weeks, the World Health Organization continues monitoring the situation and warns additional cases remain possible as health agencies maintain strict isolation protocols globally.
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The cruise ship "MV Hondius", on which the Hantavirus has erupted, is currently on its way to Tenerife. There, the evacuation of the sick passengers is being meticulously prepared. To date, five people have been on board, either confirmed or suspected of having the Hantavirus. The health status of the guests and crew is being monitored, the infection wave is being followed, said Anaïs Legand, a WHO expert on viral diseases. WHO staff and medical…
What to know about hantavirus, the illness linked to a cruise ship outbreak
An outbreak aboard a cruise ship of a rare rodent-borne illness called hantavirus has left three passengers dead and sickened others, but global health officials say the risk to the general public remains low because the germ does not easily spread between people.
Quick take...Hantavirus cruise ship weirdness
On May 2nd it was reported to the World Health Organization that a "cluster" of passengers on the cruise ship MV Hondius had fallen ill with "severe respiratory illness". As of May 4th, seven passengers had fallen ill, resulting in three deaths. Lab testing "confirmed" Hantavirus infection in two of the cases, the other five remained "suspected". As of this morning, an eighth case - and third "confirmed" - has been reported. "Confirmed" is a tri…
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