Hantavirus Outbreak on MV Hondius Cruise Ship Leads to International Evacuation
A deadly hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship resulted in three deaths and multiple infections, prompting a complex international evacuation in Tenerife, Spain. Passengers from 23 countries were repatriated to nations including the US, France, and the Netherlands, where strict quarantine and monitoring protocols were implemented. The Andes virus strain, capable of rare person-to-person transmission, sparked global health coordination led by the WHO. While confirmed cases rose among evacuees, authorities assessed the broader public health risk as low, distinguishing it from pandemic threats.
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WHO Deems Hantavirus Risk Low as Cruise Ship Hondius Arrives in Netherlands
The World Health Organization (WHO) has assessed the public health risk from a hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship Hondius as low, ahead of its scheduled arrival in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The ship is set to disembark 27 remaining individuals, including crew and medical staff, who will undergo testing. Although the virus has caused three deaths and infected at least seven people, the WHO notes that human-to-human transmission requires very close contact, limiting broader spread risks. Surveillance continues for passengers who disembarked earlier in other locations. Concurrently, nine asymptomatic individuals who had contact with cases in Saint Helena and Ascension Island are arriving in the United Kingdom to complete self-isolation. Additionally, a symptomatic healthcare worker from Ascension Island has been evacuated to a specialist unit in London as a precaution. The virus, which lacks a vaccine or specific treatment, has an incubation period of several weeks, prompting ongoing monitoring by health authorities across approximately twenty countries. The epidemiological situation remains under close review, with risk assessments subject to updates if new information emerges.
Le Monde.fr - Actualités et Infos en France et dans le mondeUS Passenger Exposed to Hantavirus Quarantines on Remote Pitcairn Island
A US citizen who traveled on the MV Hondius cruise ship, where a rare outbreak of the Andes strain of hantavirus occurred, is currently in quarantine on the remote British territory of Pitcairn Island. The woman, who showed no signs of illness upon arrival, journeyed from San Francisco through Tahiti and French Polynesia to reach the isolated island. Authorities in French Polynesia stated she did not disclose her potential exposure to health officials during her transit. Pitcairn officials, working with the UK government, have implemented precautionary isolation measures to protect the island's small population of approximately 50 residents. While the global death toll from this specific hantavirus outbreak stands at three, health experts emphasize that the broader public health risk remains low. Unlike many other viruses, the Andes strain can spread between humans, prompting strict containment protocols. The patient faces an indefinite stay on the island, which has limited medical facilities, with the nearest hospitals located thousands of kilometers away in New Zealand or French Polynesia.
Jamaica ObserverLive Update: Global Hantavirus Situation and MV Hondius Quarantine Measures
This live update from Le Monde reports on the global response to hantavirus concerns linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship. An American passenger was placed in quarantine upon arriving at Pitcairn Island after traveling through French Polynesia. Meanwhile, a New Zealander who remained on board the vessel is hospitalized in quarantine in Taiwan but has tested negative for the virus and remains asymptomatic. In the United States, authorities are monitoring 41 individuals, instructing them to isolate for forty-two days, with three patients transferred to a Kansas university hospital for closer observation. Additionally, six passengers who departed the Netherlands recently landed at a military base in Western Australia, where they await further testing before entering quarantine. On the scientific front, an Argentine team is scheduled to travel to Ushuaia to investigate potential rodent vectors of the virus, with results expected within a month. The report highlights international coordination and containment efforts while emphasizing the need for global pandemic preparedness agreements.
Le Monde.fr - Actualités et Infos en France et dans le mondeCDC Monitors 41 People in US for Hantavirus Following Cruise Ship Outbreak
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on May 14 that 41 individuals in the United States are under monitoring for hantavirus. This development follows an outbreak aboard the MV Hondius, a cruise ship that traveled from Argentina to Antarctica. Most monitored individuals were passengers on the vessel, with eighteen flown to medical facilities in Nebraska and Georgia for quarantine during the virus's incubation period. Others are being monitored at home in states like Arizona and California, while a third group includes travelers exposed to passengers on flights. Globally, eleven cases have been confirmed or suspected, resulting in three deaths. Although hantavirus is typically transmitted by rodents, person-to-person transmission is believed to have occurred on the ship. The World Health Organization is investigating epidemiological links. No mandatory quarantine orders have been issued in the US, as the CDC assesses the public risk as low, emphasizing close contact transmission. Additional exposures were reported in Kansas, Maryland, New Jersey, and Washington. Health officials are coordinating with passengers to ensure rapid care if symptoms develop.
ZeroHedge NewsWHO: No Sign of Larger Hantavirus Outbreak Despite Rising Cases
The World Health Organization (WHO) stated there is currently no indication of a larger hantavirus outbreak, despite a rise in cases linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus assessed the global health risk as low, noting that all suspected and confirmed cases are under strict medical supervision with no new deaths reported since May 2. However, officials warned that more cases may emerge in coming weeks due to the virus's long incubation period. The WHO recommends a 42-day monitoring period for repatriated passengers, ending June 21. As of Tuesday, 11 cases were identified, including nine confirmed and three fatalities. Spain confirmed a new case among an evacuated passenger who remains stable, while 13 other Spanish nationals tested negative. Meanwhile, the United States reported that tests for an American passenger with mild symptoms were initially inconclusive but subsequently negative. Eighteen American passengers and one dual citizen were airlifted back to the U.S. Each country where passengers have returned is responsible for active health monitoring to prevent further transmission.
: WorldAmericans Exposed to Hantavirus on Cruise Ship Return to U.S. for Quarantine
Eighteen American passengers who were potentially exposed to the hantavirus during a recent cruise ship voyage have returned to the United States and are currently undergoing mandatory quarantine. According to reports from CBS News, the individuals have been distributed between two specialized medical facilities equipped to handle high-containment infectious disease cases. Sixteen of the passengers are being monitored at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, while the remaining two have been transferred to Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. This precautionary measure aims to prevent any potential spread of the virus, which can cause severe respiratory illness known as Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome. The situation highlights ongoing public health protocols for managing infectious disease risks associated with international travel and crowded environments like cruise ships. Health officials are closely monitoring the passengers for any emerging symptoms, although specific details regarding their current health status or the exact nature of the exposure incident on the vessel have not been fully disclosed in this initial report. The coordinated response involves federal and local health authorities working together to ensure public safety.
Home - CBSNews.comExpert Analysis: Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship Poses Low Global Risk
Eighteen American passengers have returned to the United States following a hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship, which resulted in three deaths. The passengers are currently undergoing monitoring at a specialized containment facility in Nebraska before beginning a recommended 42-day quarantine. Although the incident has raised public concern, infectious disease researcher Laurel Bristow emphasizes that the global risk remains low. Hantavirus is typically transmitted through contact with infected rodent waste, primarily deer mice in the Americas. However, this specific outbreak involves the Andes strain, which is unique for its ability to spread from person to person. The close quarters of the cruise ship facilitated this rare transmission mode. Despite a case fatality rate that can reach 40 percent, experts argue that this isolated incident does not warrant pandemic-level anxiety. The World Health Organization has reinforced that the worldwide threat level is minimal. This report clarifies the nature of the virus, the specific circumstances enabling its spread on the vessel, and the ongoing US health response to ensure passenger safety and prevent further community transmission.
VoxWHO Chief Warns of Potential Rise in Hantavirus Cases Following Cruise Ship Outbreak
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned nations to prepare for additional hantavirus cases following an outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised Spain for its compassion and solidarity in accepting the vessel and evacuating over 120 passengers and crew after Cape Verde denied entry. The outbreak, involving the Andes strain of hantavirus, has resulted in three deaths and nine confirmed cases, including recent positives among evacuated US and French nationals. Tedros urged countries to adhere to WHO recommendations, specifically a 42-day quarantine and rigorous monitoring of high-risk contacts, citing the virus's long incubation period of six to eight weeks. He noted that significant passenger interaction before initial containment measures increases the likelihood of further cases. Speaking alongside Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in Madrid, Tedros highlighted Spain's response as a model of leadership and kindness in a divided world. Individual nations are now responsible for the care and monitoring of their respective citizens who were evacuated from the ship.
The GuardianWHO Confirms 11 Hantavirus Cases on MV Hondius Cruise Ship
The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed eleven cases of hantavirus linked to an outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship as of Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Among the confirmed infections is a Spanish national who was recently evacuated. The vessel, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, has departed from Tenerife in the Canary Islands and is currently en route to Rotterdam, Netherlands, with an expected arrival on Sunday, May 17, for cleaning and disinfection. Meanwhile, the final flight carrying repatriated passengers and crew members landed at Eindhoven Airport in the Netherlands. All evacuees are subject to a mandatory six-week home quarantine to prevent further spread of the virus. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that while the global risk remains low due to strict isolation measures, the situation requires continued monitoring given the virus's long incubation period. He emphasized that repatriating countries are now responsible for health surveillance. Although no larger outbreak is currently indicated, officials warn that additional cases may emerge in the coming weeks.
Clarin.com - Home - Lo últimoFrench Woman Critical with Hantavirus After Doctors Misdiagnosed Symptoms as Anxiety
A French woman is in critical condition after testing positive for the rare Andes strain of hantavirus, following a misdiagnosis by doctors who initially attributed her symptoms to anxiety. The passenger had disembarked from the MV Hondius cruise ship, which is currently experiencing a deadly outbreak of the virus, when it docked in Spain’s Canary Islands. Although she initially showed flu-like symptoms on board, medical staff speculated her condition was stress-related due to the ongoing crisis. Her health deteriorated rapidly after evacuation, leading to her transfer to a specialized infectious disease unit in Paris. The incident highlights broader complications from the outbreak, which has killed three passengers and infected dozens. Additionally, twelve hospital workers in the Netherlands have been placed in a six-week quarantine after handling patient samples without strict protective equipment. Eighteen American passengers were also flown back to the US for quarantine, with one individual isolated in a Nebraska biocontainment unit. Health officials across multiple countries continue to monitor the situation closely as the communicable virus spreads among passengers and crew.
New York PostFrench Woman with Hantavirus in Critical Condition, Contradicting PM's Stable Report
The World Health Organization has declared the condition of a French woman infected with hantavirus as very critical, directly contradicting earlier assurances from Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu that she was stable. The patient, repatriated from the MV Hondius cruise ship where multiple cases and deaths occurred, experienced rapid disease progression upon arrival at Le Bourget airport in Paris. Initially dismissed by ship medical staff as anxiety-related, her symptoms worsened during the flight, leading to a positive test and intensive care admission at Bichat hospital. Health Minister Stephanie Rist acknowledged the deterioration but emphasized France's strict containment protocols. Authorities have identified 22 direct contacts who are undergoing mandatory quarantine and evaluation. While one contact in Concarneau was hospitalized, they remain unconfirmed. The incident has triggered an emergency cabinet response, with officials urging calm despite the severe nature of the infection and the potential for spread among passengers on connecting flights from Saint Helena to Johannesburg and Amsterdam.
Portada // elmundoUS Cruise Passengers Exposed to Hantavirus Quarantined in US Hospitals
Seventeen American passengers potentially exposed to hantavirus during a cruise on the HV Hondius have returned to the United States and are currently under quarantine. Most are housed at the National Quarantine Unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, where they enjoy hotel-like amenities while awaiting further health assessments. Two individuals, including one who tested positive and another showing symptoms, are being treated at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. The World Health Organization recommends a 42-day quarantine period due to the virus's high fatality rate and potential eight-week incubation period. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention allows patients to leave after initial screening if they agree to home monitoring, discharge timelines remain uncertain as officials conduct risk assessments. Hantavirus, which spreads through close contact and rodent feces, has killed three people associated with the outbreak. Public health experts emphasize that the virus requires prolonged close contact for transmission, making a widespread pandemic unlikely compared to COVID-19. Contact tracing is ongoing for other passengers who disembarked earlier, but current quarantined individuals in Nebraska have not shown symptoms or tested positive.
New York PostUS Citizens Quarantined in Nebraska Following Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship
Fifteen US citizens exposed to the Andes strain of hantavirus aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship are currently under observation at the National Quarantine Unit in Omaha, Nebraska. This federally funded facility, part of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, has only been activated once previously during the pandemic. Officials describe the accommodations as hotel-like, featuring amenities such as Wi-Fi and exercise equipment to ease the mandatory 42-day isolation period, which covers the virus's incubation window. Unlike typical hospital settings, the unit aims to be less restrictive while ensuring public safety. Participation is voluntary; passengers may leave if they meet strict health and isolation criteria. Meanwhile, one confirmed positive case is treated in UNMC’s Biocontainment Unit, and two symptomatic passengers are isolated at Emory University in Atlanta. This distribution of care helps reduce strain on single hospital systems. As there are no approved treatments for this hantavirus strain, medical teams rely on aggressive supportive care, including potential life-saving measures like extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, should symptoms develop.
The Straits Times World NewsSpanish Passenger from MV Hondius Tests Positive for Hantavirus
Spanish health authorities announced on Monday evening that one of the Spanish passengers evacuated from the cruise ship MV Hondius has tested positive for hantavirus. The individual, who was placed in isolation at the Gómez Ulla military hospital in Madrid, received a provisional positive result from a PCR test conducted upon arrival. Despite the positive test, the passenger is currently asymptomatic and reported to be in good general condition. The Ministry of Health stated that final confirmation results are expected within the coming hours. Additionally, authorities confirmed that the thirteen other Spanish passengers evacuated from the vessel tested negative for the virus. This development highlights ongoing health monitoring protocols for travelers returning from international voyages. The article also references broader context regarding hantavirus transmission dynamics, noting differences from COVID-19 patterns. The incident involves coordination between maritime evacuation procedures and national public health responses in Spain, focusing on containment and individual patient care within a specialized medical facility.
Le SoirSpanish Passenger Evacuated from MV Hondius Tests Positive for Hantavirus
The Spanish Ministry of Health confirmed that a passenger evacuated from the disease-stricken cruise ship MV Hondius has tested positive for hantavirus. The individual, a Spanish national, was transferred to the Gomez Ulla hospital in Madrid and placed in isolation upon arrival. Although the PCR test returned a positive result, health officials stated that the patient is currently asymptomatic. The ministry noted that final confirmation results are expected within the coming hours. Meanwhile, thirteen other Spanish nationals who were evacuated from the same vessel have tested negative for the virus so far. This development highlights ongoing health monitoring efforts following the outbreak aboard the MV Hondius, which prompted the emergency evacuation of several passengers. The incident underscores the challenges of managing infectious diseases in confined maritime environments and the subsequent public health responses required to contain potential spread among evacuees and the general population.
Jamaica ObserverFour Passengers from Hantavirus-Stricken Cruise Ship Arrive in B.C. for Quarantine
Four passengers from the MV Hondius cruise ship, which experienced a hantavirus outbreak, have arrived in British Columbia and entered a mandatory 21-day quarantine. Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, confirmed that all four individuals are currently symptom-free and considered low risk due to lack of direct contact with infected persons. The group includes a Yukon couple, a Vancouver Island resident, and a B.C. native living abroad. While the Vancouver Island resident quarantines at home, the others are staying in accommodations arranged by Island Health. This arrival is part of a larger repatriation effort involving approximately 150 passengers and crew flown home after the ship docked in Spain’s Canary Islands. The outbreak has resulted in three deaths and seven infections globally. Health officials emphasized that while hantavirus is serious, it is not highly transmissible between humans and does not pose a pandemic threat. The 21-day quarantine covers the critical incubation period, with potential extensions depending on health developments. This event highlights ongoing public health monitoring protocols following international travel incidents involving infectious diseases.
Vancouver SunFrench Woman Misdiagnosed with Anxiety on Cruise Ship Now Critical with Hantavirus
A French passenger evacuated from the MV Hondius cruise ship is in a critical condition after testing positive for hantavirus, despite earlier being told by onboard doctors that her symptoms were likely anxiety. Spanish Health Minister Javier Padilla revealed that medical staff, including experts from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, dismissed her flu-like symptoms because she lacked a fever and appeared to be improving. The World Health Organization later confirmed her severe status, highlighting the dangers of misdiagnosis during the outbreak. The incident occurred amidst a complex evacuation operation in Tenerife, Canary Islands, where 120 passengers from 23 nations were repatriated following three deaths and eight confirmed cases on board. While authorities initially stated all remaining individuals were asymptomatic, this case underscores the challenges in identifying the virus, which can lead to respiratory failure. The woman was flown to a specialized infectious diseases unit in Paris, where her condition worsened overnight. Meanwhile, other evacuees have been quarantined in various countries, including Spain and the UK, as global health officials urge compassion and continued monitoring for those exposed.
The GuardianCruise Ship Hit by Hantavirus Leaves Canary Islands for Disinfection in Netherlands
The MV Hondius cruise ship, central to a deadly hantavirus outbreak, departed the Canary Islands on Monday evening after nearly two days of quarantine and evacuation procedures. The vessel left the port of Granadilla de Abona in Tenerife, heading toward Rotterdam, Netherlands, where it will undergo thorough disinfection. This five-day journey follows the successful disembarkation and testing of all 150 passengers, who are now returning to their home countries. Health officials confirmed that three people have died and at least seven others fell ill or tested positive during the six-week voyage that originated in Argentina. Spanish Health Minister Mónica García stated that the last evacuees were flown out on Monday, leaving a reduced crew of 32 on board to manage the ship's transit. Global health authorities are actively monitoring former passengers and crew for symptoms and tracing potential contacts to prevent further spread of the rare rodent-borne pathogen. The incident has prompted international cooperation among health agencies to contain the virus and ensure public safety following the maritime health crisis.
NYT > World NewsMV Hondius Departs Tenerife for Rotterdam After Hantavirus Evacuation
The Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius has departed from Tenerife, Spain, heading to Rotterdam after completing the evacuation of passengers due to confirmed Hantavirus cases on board. The vessel had been anchored at the Port of Granadilla de Abona for two days while health authorities managed the crisis. Twenty-seven passengers were disembarked and flown to the Netherlands, while the ship continued its journey with only 27 crew members remaining. World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised the Spanish government for the successful operation and confirmed that returning passengers will undergo a 42-day quarantine period in their respective countries. He emphasized that the situation is unrelated to Covid-19 and urged empathy from receiving nations. The outbreak resulted in three deaths, including nationals from the Netherlands, Germany, and another individual. Authorities announced that the port facilities would be thoroughly disinfected following the ship's departure. Hantavirus, primarily transmitted by rodents, causes symptoms ranging from fever to respiratory and kidney failure.
Anadolu Ajansı Güncel HaberlerLast Passengers Evacuate Hantavirus-Hit Cruise Ship MV Hondius in Tenerife
The final six passengers and select crew members of the MV Hondius, a polar expedition cruise ship struck by a hantavirus outbreak, disembarked in Tenerife, Spain, on May 11, 2026. Strong winds necessitated a brief docking at Granadilla de Abona to facilitate their safe transfer to flights bound for the Netherlands for quarantine. This evacuation marks the conclusion of a complex 41-day operation that repatriated 94 individuals since the virus was first detected. The outbreak, caused by the Andes strain of hantavirus, has resulted in three deaths among a Dutch couple and a German national. Captain Jan Dobrogowski praised the patience and discipline of those onboard during the challenging ordeal. While a French passenger’s condition deteriorates and mild cases were identified among Americans, health officials emphasize the low risk of person-to-person transmission. The ship is scheduled to proceed to the Netherlands for disinfection. The World Health Organization confirmed seven cases and two suspected ones, urging public calm despite lingering pandemic anxieties.
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