Three passengers have died and several others are ill after a confirmed outbreak of Andes hantavirus aboard the Dutch‑flagged cruise ship MV Hondius, according to health authorities in multiple countries.
Confirmed Cases and Deaths
The World Health Organization and national health agencies in the Netherlands, South Africa, and Argentina have confirmed at least eight suspected or confirmed cases, including three fatalities. All cases are linked to passengers who traveled on the Hondius during an Antarctic cruise that began in Ushuaia, Argentina, in late March.
The first known patient, a 70‑year‑old Dutch passenger, developed symptoms on April 6 and died shortly afterward. His wife, who disembarked in Saint Helena, later died in South Africa after testing positive for the Andes strain. A third passenger died in the Netherlands following hospitalization.
Ship En Route to Canary Islands
The Hondius is currently sailing toward the Canary Islands, where Spanish health officials are preparing to board the vessel for medical evaluation, testing, and isolation procedures. Passengers have been instructed to remain in their cabins, and crew members are operating under enhanced protective protocols.
Medical teams have already boarded the ship during earlier stops to assess symptomatic passengers and disinfect shared areas.
International Contact Tracing Underway
Because several passengers disembarked before the outbreak was identified, health agencies in more than a dozen countries are conducting contact tracing. U.S. officials are monitoring residents in California, Texas, Arizona, Georgia, and Virginia who were on the voyage. No U.S. cases have been reported.
WHO officials say the public health risk to the general population remains low, noting that while the Andes strain is the only hantavirus known to spread person‑to‑person, such transmission is uncommon and typically requires close, prolonged contact.
Likely Source of Exposure
Investigators in Argentina say the leading hypothesis is that passengers were exposed during a shore excursion to a landfill site in Ushuaia, where rodents carrying the virus may have been present. Health officials emphasize that the investigation is ongoing.
Next Steps
The ship is expected to reach the Canary Islands within days. Spanish authorities will conduct additional testing, isolate symptomatic individuals, and coordinate with international partners. Because the Andes virus can incubate for up to six weeks, officials warn that additional cases may still emerge among passengers who have already returned home.