Hantavirus Outbreak on MV Hondiu Cruise Ship Claims 3 Lives

An outbreak of a rare hantavirus on the MV Hondiu, a Dutch-flagged expedition cruise ship, has led to the deaths of three passengers and several critical cases. The ship departed Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1, 2026, and the outbreak was detected on May 6, 2026.

The World Health Organization identified eight cases linked to the ship, including three confirmed infections. The deceased include a 70-year-old Dutch man who died on April 11, his 69-year-old Dutch wife who collapsed in Johannesburg on April 26, and a 56-year-old British man who died on May 2.

The ship, carrying 147 people from 23 countries, was denied docking in several countries due to public health concerns but was allowed to dock in the Canary Islands for humanitarian reasons. Currently, all passengers and crew are isolated in their cabins, with no symptoms reported upon arrival.

The hantavirus can cause severe respiratory disease, and while the outbreak is classified as a high-priority pathogen, health authorities emphasize that the overall public health risk remains low.