Deadly Hantavirus Outbreak on MV Hondius Cruise Ship Triggers Global Evacuation
A hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship resulted in three deaths and multiple confirmed cases among passengers from 23 countries. Originating likely in Argentina, the rare Andes virus strain facilitated limited human-to-human transmission. The World Health Organization coordinated a complex international evacuation in Tenerife, Spain, repatriating over 120 individuals for mandatory quarantine. While the WHO assessed the global public health risk as low, the incident highlighted challenges in managing infectious diseases in maritime settings, leading to varied national containment protocols and secondary exposure incidents in healthcare facilities.
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WHO Declares Deadly Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship Over
The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially declared the deadly hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius over. The outbreak, which occurred on the ship, resulted in 13 people being infected and 3 deaths. The declaration came after the last person who had contact with the outbreak completed their quarantine period. Multiple news outlets, including Newser, Forbes, The Guardian, The New York Times, and ABC News, reported the announcement. The outbreak drew significant attention due to its high fatality rate and the unusual setting of a cruise ship. Health authorities have confirmed that no new cases have emerged, and the quarantine period has ended, marking the conclusion of the public health event.
Top stories - Google NewsWHO declares cruise ship hantavirus outbreak over
The World Health Organization declared the hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship over on July 2, 2026, after the last contact completed quarantine and tested negative. The outbreak involved 12 confirmed and one probable case, including three deaths. The Dutch-flagged ship departed from Ushuaia, Argentina on April 1, visiting remote South Atlantic islands before passengers were evacuated in Tenerife, Spain. The ship docked in Rotterdam on May 18 and was cleared for service after disinfection on May 30. Over 650 contacts across 33 countries were monitored. The Andes virus strain, which can transmit human-to-human, was involved. WHO is coordinating a 21-country study to develop diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines. No further cases have been reported since May 25.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Last Hantavirus-Exposed Cruise Ship Passengers Released from Nebraska Quarantine
On June 22, 2026, the last eight American passengers exposed to a hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship MV Hondius completed a 42-day quarantine at the National Quarantine Unit in Omaha, Nebraska. The outbreak, caused by the Andes virus capable of rare human-to-human spread, killed three people. More than 120 people were evacuated from the ship in Spain's Canary Islands, including 18 Americans sent to Omaha. At least 30 other passengers left the ship before the outbreak was documented, including seven Americans who self-monitored at home. One passenger, Angela Perryman, was controversially forced to remain under quarantine order against the recommendation of some health officials. None of the quarantined passengers developed the illness. The government paid for return flights. The HHS praised federal, state, and local collaboration for containing risks.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Hantavirus Cruise Passenger Claims 'Hostage' Situation in Nebraska Quarantine Amid CDC-Florida Dispute
Angela Perryman, a 47-year-old Florida woman quarantined at the National Quarantine Unit in Nebraska after exposure to hantavirus on the MV Hondius cruise ship, says she is being held 'hostage' due to a disagreement between the CDC and Florida health officials. The CDC demands 24/7 surveillance by a public health official if she returns home, but Florida's surgeon general deems this 'not necessary' and offers only voluntary quarantine. Perryman has 11 days left of her 42-day quarantine. The article also provides a broader timeline of the hantavirus outbreak, including the EU's deployment of experimental favipiravir, a Spanish citizen testing positive, and the WHO's assessment that global risk remains low. The ship operator plans to resume voyages in June 2026.
Forbes - BusinessExperimental Hantavirus Treatment Sent to EU Countries for Cruise Ship Patients
An experimental antiviral drug, favipiravir, has been sent to France, Spain, and the Netherlands to treat patients sickened by a rare and deadly Andes strain of hantavirus on the cruise ship MV Hondius. The European Commission announced that 1,400 tablets were made available by Fujifilm Pharmaceuticals in Japan, though the drug is not yet approved by the European Medicines Agency. The outbreak originated from a traveling Dutch couple who likely contracted the virus before boarding. As of late May 2026, nine cases have been confirmed, including a critically ill French patient and a Spanish citizen who tested positive after evacuation. The ship operator, Oceanwide Expeditions, canceled two voyages but plans to resume trips in June. The World Health Organization assessed the risk to the general population as low, with no signs of a larger outbreak.
Forbes - BusinessPassenger Tests Positive for Hantavirus Weeks After Leaving Infected Cruise Ship
A Spanish citizen evacuated from the MV Hondius, an expedition cruise ship linked to a deadly hantavirus outbreak, has tested positive for the virus weeks after leaving the ship, according to Spain's Ministry of Health. The passenger, already quarantined in a Madrid hospital, has been moved to a high-level isolation unit. The ship's operator, Oceanwide Expeditions, announced the MV Hondius will resume scheduled trips starting June 13, with a voyage around the Svalbard islands, after two scheduled voyages were canceled pending cleaning. The ship arrived in the Netherlands carrying 25 crew members and two medical professionals, all asymptomatic, for disinfection. The World Health Organization stated the risk to the general population remains low, with no signs of a larger outbreak. Meanwhile, health officials in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay are disputing the origin of the outbreak, which may have started with a Dutch couple who visited Ushuaia before boarding. A French patient is critically ill, and a U.S. doctor who tested positive has since tested negative twice.
Forbes - BusinessWHO: Hantavirus Situation on Dutch-Flagged Ship Stable, No Global Epidemic Risk
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the hantavirus outbreak on the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius is stable, with no new deaths since May 2. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus confirmed 12 cases and 3 deaths (one German and two Dutch passengers) have been reported. All passengers and crew remain in quarantine and are closely monitored. The ship departed from Argentina and passengers were evacuated in the Canary Islands on May 10. WHO stated there is no risk of a global epidemic. Hantavirus is primarily transmitted from rodents through inhalation of dried feces, urine, or saliva, or through bites or scratches, causing symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and muscle pain.
Anadolu Ajansı Güncel HaberlerAndes Virus Detected in Quarantined Crew Member of Cruise Ship Hondius in the Netherlands
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Friday that a crew member of the cruise ship Hondius, who was in quarantine in the Netherlands, has contracted the Andes virus. The Andes virus is a hantavirus that can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) and is typically transmitted through rodent droppings or urine. The case marks a rare occurrence of the virus outside its usual endemic region in South America. The crew member's quarantine status suggests measures were already in place to prevent further spread. Health authorities are likely monitoring close contacts and investigating the source of infection. The incident raises concerns about potential international transmission of rare pathogens via travel and shipping routes.
Nieuws, achtergronden en onderzoeksjournalistiek - NRCHantavirus-Affected Cruise Ship 'Hondius' Returns to Netherlands After Deadly Outbreak
The cruise ship 'Hondius' has returned to Rotterdam, Netherlands, approximately seven weeks after a hantavirus outbreak occurred on board. The vessel, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, docked with a remaining crew of 25, along with medical staff. The body of a German passenger who died at sea was also transported to Rotterdam for cremation. In total, three passengers died during the voyage, which began in Argentina in April. The remaining crew members, primarily from the Philippines, Ukraine, Russia, and Poland, are undergoing testing and quarantine, though none currently show symptoms. Disinfection of the ship is scheduled to begin immediately. The World Health Organization (WHO) believes the infection chain started with a Dutch couple who boarded in early April. Initial symptoms were mistaken for respiratory issues, delaying specific hantavirus testing. The virus subsequently spread among passengers and crew, leading to confirmed cases in multiple countries, including Canada and France. The WHO currently estimates eleven total infections linked to this incident. Special flights were previously arranged to repatriate travelers from Tenerife.
DIE ZEIT | Nachrichten, News, Hintergründe und DebattenHantavirus-Hit Cruise Ship MV Hondius Docks in Netherlands for Disinfection
The cruise ship MV Hondius, affected by a deadly hantavirus outbreak, has docked in the port of Rotterdam, Netherlands, for disinfection and quarantine procedures. The vessel arrived with 25 crew members and two medical personnel, after all passengers had previously disembarked at other locations. According to the operator, Oceanwide Expeditions, no one currently on board is showing symptoms. Authorities have established quarantine facilities near the dock for crew members who cannot be immediately repatriated. The outbreak resulted in three passenger deaths, including a Dutch couple believed to be the first exposed in South America. There were at least 11 infections recorded, with nine confirmed cases. The World Health Organization maintains that the risk of onward transmission is low following containment measures. Meanwhile, France’s Pasteur Institute confirmed the virus is the Andes virus, matching known strains from South America without new dangerous characteristics. This marks the first known hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, prompting strict decontamination protocols under Dutch public health guidelines before the vessel can sail again.
Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al JazeeraHantavirus Outbreak on M/V Hondius Cruise Ship Linked to 11 Cases and 3 Deaths
Health authorities are monitoring a deadly hantavirus outbreak linked to the Dutch-flagged cruise ship M/V Hondius, with at least 11 confirmed or suspected cases and three fatalities reported. The identified strain is the Andes virus, notable for being the only hantavirus known to transmit between humans through prolonged close contact. The outbreak likely originated from a Dutch couple who visited rodent-infested areas in South America before boarding; the husband died aboard the ship, and his wife died shortly after disembarking in Saint Helena. Additional cases include a British passenger hospitalized in South Africa, a German woman who died on board, and two crew members treated in the Netherlands. Passengers were evacuated via repatriation flights after the ship docked in the Canary Islands, triggering global contact tracing efforts. The vessel arrived in Rotterdam for disinfection on May 18. While new cases have emerged among returnees, the World Health Organization assures that the general public risk remains low. Investigations continue across multiple countries to track potential transmissions from flights and shared spaces.
Home - CBSNews.comHantavirus-Hit Cruise Ship MV Hondius Docks in Rotterdam for Disinfection
The cruise ship MV Hondius has arrived at the port of Rotterdam, Netherlands, to undergo disinfection following a deadly hantavirus outbreak that resulted in three passenger deaths. The vessel, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, carried 25 crew members and two medical personnel upon arrival, as all passengers had previously disembarked in the Canary Islands. Those passengers were escorted off in protective gear and flown to over 20 countries for quarantine. Health authorities report at least 11 cases linked to the outbreak, with nine confirmed. Crew members remaining on board will enter immediate quarantine in the Netherlands. The World Health Organization emphasized that the contagion is rare and distinct from COVID-19, though the virus's long incubation period poses risks for future cases. France's Pasteur Institute confirmed the pathogen is the Andes virus, matching known strains from South America without new dangerous characteristics. Public health officials will inspect the ship before it resumes operations, with an Arctic cruise still scheduled for late May. The incident marks the first known hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, triggering international health alerts and coordinated quarantine measures across multiple nations.
Home - CBSNews.comCruise Ship MV Hondius Arrives in Netherlands for Disinfection After Hantavirus Outbreak
The MV Hondius cruise ship has arrived in Rotterdam, Netherlands, for disinfection following a significant hantavirus outbreak that resulted in three passenger deaths and at least eleven reported cases. The vessel, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, docked with 25 crew members and two medical personnel after all passengers had previously disembarked in the Canary Islands. Those passengers were subsequently isolated or repatriated to over 20 countries, including the United States and Canada, where some tested positive for the Andes virus. Dutch authorities have mandated immediate quarantine for the remaining crew, while the ship undergoes decontamination according to public health guidelines. France's Pasteur Institute confirmed the virus strain matches known South American variants, showing no new dangerous characteristics. This incident marks the first known hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, prompting international health alerts and coordination with the World Health Organization. Despite the crisis, the operating company states it does not anticipate changes to future scheduled voyages.
The Independent WorldHantavirus-Stricken Cruise Ship MV Hondius Arrives in Netherlands After Deadly Voyage
The MV Hondius cruise ship has docked in Rotterdam, Netherlands, concluding a seven-week, 8,500-mile expedition that was marred by a deadly hantavirus outbreak. The voyage, which began in Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1, resulted in up to 11 infections and three deaths among passengers and crew. Upon arrival, only the captain and 26 crew members remained on board for disinfection procedures, while most passengers, including 18 Americans, are under quarantine in their respective home countries. A German passenger who died at sea was also transported on the vessel. Health authorities, including the World Health Organization, are investigating the origin of the virus, with theories suggesting initial exposure occurred during a bird-watching trip involving rodents. Hantavirus is a rare disease primarily transmitted by rodents, with an incubation period of up to six weeks. Recent developments include a Canadian passenger testing positive after disembarking. The incident has triggered global health alerts and monitoring efforts across multiple countries to contain potential further spread of the communicable strain.
NBC News Top StoriesCruise Ship MV Hondius Docks in Rotterdam Amid Hantavirus Outbreak
The MV Hondius cruise ship, carrying 27 crew members and medical staff, docked in the port of Rotterdam, Netherlands, on May 18, 2026, following a hantavirus outbreak. The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that the public health risk remains low, noting that human-to-human transmission requires very close contact. To date, seven cases have been confirmed with one probable case, including a recent confirmation in Canada. Three deaths have been reported globally in connection with this rare virus, which lacks a specific vaccine or treatment. Authorities in approximately twenty countries are monitoring suspected cases and contacts. In the United Kingdom, nine asymptomatic individuals from Saint Helena and Ascension Island arrived for precautionary isolation, while a symptomatic healthcare worker was transferred to a specialist unit in London. Previously, around twenty passengers repatriated to the UK from the Canary Islands have been released from hospital quarantine to self-isolate at home. The WHO continues to monitor the epidemiological situation closely, emphasizing that while additional cases may emerge due to the virus's incubation period, control measures are expected to reduce onward transmission risks after disembarkation.
Le Monde.fr - Actualités et Infos en France et dans le mondeHantavirus-Affected Cruise Ship MV Hondius Arrives in Rotterdam for Quarantine
The Dutch-flagged luxury liner MV Hondius, central to a hantavirus outbreak, has arrived at the port of Rotterdam as its final destination. Authorities have prepared quarantine facilities for the 23 crew members and two medical staff remaining on board following the evacuation of passengers. The vessel, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, was previously stranded off Cape Verde after authorities barred disembarkation due to the health crisis. The outbreak, involving the Andes virus, was first reported to the World Health Organization on May 2 and has resulted in three deaths among a Dutch couple and a German national. As of May 15, the WHO confirmed 10 cases, including eight confirmed and two probable. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control noted no significant variation in the virus strain. While the ship undergoes disinfection, non-Dutch crew members face potential quarantine, adhering to WHO recommendations for a 42-day monitoring period for high-risk contacts. Passengers and crew who previously left the ship are being monitored in various countries globally.
Cyprus MailHantavirus-Stricken Cruise Ship MV Hondius Arrives in Netherlands for Quarantine
The MV Hondius cruise ship, affected by a deadly hantavirus outbreak, is scheduled to arrive at the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands on May 18, 2026. The vessel has been sailing from the Canary Islands after passengers were evacuated and sent to over 20 countries for quarantine. The World Health Organization reports 11 cases, including nine confirmed, with three fatalities, notably a Dutch couple believed to be the first exposed in South America. Currently, 25 crew members and two medical personnel remain on board, showing no symptoms. Crew members unable to return home will face quarantine in the Netherlands, joining others already isolated there. International health agencies, including those in Canada and the US, are monitoring exposed nationals. France’s Pasteur Institute sequenced the Andes virus, finding it matches known strains without new dangerous characteristics. Following disembarkation, the ship will undergo strict decontamination under Dutch public health guidelines before being inspected for future operations. This marks the first known hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, though the operator, Oceanwide Expeditions, does not anticipate operational changes.
News Today: Breaking News, Top Headlines & Live Updates | The HinduHantavirus-Stricken Cruise Ship MV Hondius Arrives in Netherlands After Deadly Outbreak
The MV Hondius, a cruise ship affected by a deadly hantavirus outbreak, is scheduled to arrive in Rotterdam, Netherlands, following a six-day journey from the Canary Islands. According to the World Health Organization, the outbreak has resulted in 11 cases, nine of which are confirmed, and three deaths, including a Dutch couple believed to be the first exposed in South America. Passengers were previously evacuated in Tenerife and flown to over 20 countries for quarantine, while the vessel continues with 25 crew members and two medical personnel, none of whom show symptoms. Health officials in Canada and the United States are monitoring isolated passengers, with one Canadian testing positive. The Dutch health ministry stated that crew members unable to return home will be quarantined in the Netherlands, and the ship will undergo decontamination before further inspection. France’s Pasteur Institute confirmed the virus is the Andes virus, matching known strains from South America without new dangerous characteristics. This marks the first known hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, though the operator does not anticipate operational changes.
New York PostHantavirus-Affected Cruise Ship Hondius to Dock in Rotterdam for Disinfection and Quarantine
The cruise ship Hondius, site of a recent hantavirus outbreak that claimed three lives, is scheduled to dock in Rotterdam. Currently, 27 individuals remain on board, comprising 25 crew members and two Dutch public health officials, none of whom are showing symptoms. Upon arrival, all passengers will undergo immediate testing by the GGD public health service, followed by a comprehensive disinfection process managed by the EWS Group in collaboration with the RIVM. The port has been partially closed to facilitate these operations. Crew members, originating from various countries including the Philippines, Netherlands, Ukraine, Russia, and Poland, face a mandatory six-week quarantine. Temporary housing has been arranged in Rotterdam for foreign nationals prior to repatriation. The body of a German victim remains on board, with repatriation decisions pending. The World Health Organization stated that the outbreak poses no pandemic risk, noting that the virus is primarily spread by rodents and human-to-human transmission is rare and limited to close contact. The initial infections were likely contracted in South America before the voyage began.
DutchNews.nlHantavirus-Stricken Cruise Ship Arrives in Netherlands as Canadian Tests Positive
The MV Hondius cruise ship, affected by a deadly hantavirus outbreak, is scheduled to arrive in Rotterdam, Netherlands, with 25 crew members and two medical personnel on board. The outbreak has resulted in 11 cases, nine confirmed, and three deaths, including a Dutch couple believed to be the first exposed in South America. Recently, a Canadian passenger who had disembarked in the Canary Islands tested positive, bringing the total number of infected individuals from the vessel to include nationals from multiple countries. Passengers were previously evacuated to over 20 countries for quarantine. Currently, 18 Americans are under observation in specialized US facilities, while others are quarantined in the Netherlands. The ship operator, Oceanwide Expeditions, reports no symptoms among those remaining on board. Upon disembarkation, the vessel will undergo decontamination according to Dutch public health guidelines before being inspected for future sailing. This marks the first known hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship. France’s Pasteur Institute has sequenced the virus, identifying it as the Andes virus with no new characteristics detected.
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