Global health officials race to contain multi-country hantavirus spread after deadly cruise-linked outbreak kills three, including Dutch couple

Global health officials raced to contain a hantavirus outbreak linked to the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius in the South Atlantic after three passengers, including a Dutch couple, died between April and May 2026, the World Health Organization said. The outbreak, first detected on May 2, involved confirmed and suspected cases of severe acute respiratory illness, prompting international coordination and contact tracing efforts.

As of May 8, 2026, the World Health Organization reported eight cases linked to the outbreak, including six confirmed hantavirus infections and two suspected, with three deaths recorded. The fatalities included a Dutch couple and a German woman, according to WHO updates from May 7 and 8. The initial fatality was a probable case who developed symptoms on April 6 and died onboard the MV Hondius on April 11, the agency said. The German woman died on May 2 and was later confirmed as infected. WHO described one passenger as critically ill early in the investigation.

The MV Hondius traveled through the South Atlantic with stops including Antarctica, South Georgia Island, Tristan da Cunha, Saint Helena, Ascension Island, and Cabo Verde.

The outbreak was first identified when WHO was notified on May 2 of a cluster of severe acute respiratory illness aboard the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius, which had departed Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1. Laboratory testing in South Africa confirmed hantavirus infection in the critically ill patient, prompting WHO to classify the event as a multi-country public health emergency requiring international coordination.

WHO reported the ship was anchored off Cabo Verde by May 4 and later moved toward the Canary Islands. The vessel carried 147 people—86 passengers and 61 crew members—from 23 different nationalities, according to CDC records. WHO noted that the extent of passenger contact with wildlife before or during the expedition remained unknown.

In response, WHO engaged with National International Health Regulations (IHR) Focal Points in Argentina, Cabo Verde, Chile, Germany, the Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom to coordinate contact tracing and public health measures. Passengers were advised to remain in their cabins where possible and practice physical distancing. WHO also initiated discussions to deploy an Emergency Medical Team to support management and medical evacuation of symptomatic passengers.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed on May 8 that the virus involved was Andes virus, a species of hantavirus. CDC officials said they were coordinating with federal, state, local, and international partners to repatriate American passengers. A CDC team met the ship in the Canary Islands on May 7 to assess exposure risks. Exposed Americans were to be monitored and, in some cases, transferred to a specialized medical facility in Nebraska.

European health authorities also responded to the outbreak. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control issued a preliminary assessment on May 6, describing the situation as rapidly evolving. ECDC had been notified via the Early Warning and Response System on May 2 about the cluster of severe respiratory symptoms aboard the ship. According to BBC reports, the last six passengers disembarked in Tenerife, marking the end of the ship’s voyage. The New York Times reported that two infected passengers had arrived in the Netherlands for treatment. European public health agencies were preparing epidemiologic investigations, passenger monitoring, and ship disinfection procedures.

The outbreak remains under active investigation as health officials continue to classify cases and monitor contacts. WHO briefed media on May 7 as the situation evolved, emphasizing ongoing international collaboration. The public health response includes continued contact tracing, medical support for affected passengers, and efforts to prevent further transmission.