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Last verified: May 13, 2026

MV Hondius hantavirus

This MV Hondius hantavirus page tracks the cruise-linked Andes virus cluster, official case counts, deaths, passenger repatriation, isolation, and source-linked public-health updates.

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MV Hondius hantavirus summary

The MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak is a multi-country cruise investigation linked to a Dutch-flagged expedition vessel. WHO's latest briefing reported eleven cases, including nine confirmed as Andes virus, two probable cases, and three deaths.

The MV Hondius hantavirus investigation involves Andes virus, the hantavirus strain with documented but uncommon person-to-person transmission. The vessel reached Tenerife on May 10, 2026. By May 12, passengers had been repatriated and 27 people remained on board as the ship continued toward Rotterdam for disinfection, monitoring, and Dutch public-health oversight.

TIMELINE

MV Hondius hantavirus timeline

Recent MV Hondius hantavirus milestones are shown here. The full archive remains available on the complete timeline page.

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WHO UPDATE

WHO reports 11 cases, 9 confirmed Andes virus

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reports eleven MV Hondius cases, including three deaths. Nine of the eleven are confirmed as Andes virus and the other two are probable; WHO says global risk remains low and there is no sign of a larger outbreak.

REPATRIATION

Final passengers repatriated; vessel heads to Rotterdam

Oceanwide Expeditions says 122 passengers and crew have been repatriated, with 27 people remaining on board as the vessel continues toward Rotterdam for disinfection and monitoring under Dutch public-health oversight. A Spanish passenger is confirmed positive while 13 other suspected Madrid cases test negative.

ECDC UPDATE

ECDC updates cluster to 9 cases, 7 confirmed

ECDC reports nine total cases as of 14:00 on May 11: seven confirmed and two probable, with three deaths. The agency assesses risk to the EU/EEA general population as very low.

CONFIRMED

US and French evacuees test positive during repatriation

A French passenger evacuated to Paris tests positive and is reported in serious condition. A US passenger flown to Nebraska tests positive for Andes virus but is asymptomatic; another American has mild symptoms. WHO-linked public-health advice continues to emphasize 42 days of active follow-up after last exposure.

RESPONSE

UK passengers enter isolation at Arrowe Park

A repatriation flight brings 20 British passengers plus two additional residents or travellers to Manchester. They enter isolation and medical assessment at Arrowe Park Hospital in Wirral after testing negative before departure from Tenerife.

DISEMBARKATION

MV Hondius arrives at Tenerife; disembarkation begins

The vessel reaches the Canary Islands in the early hours of Sunday. Passengers begin disembarking in small groups after screening, with Spanish passengers moved first and repatriation flights planned for the UK, US, Canada, Turkey, France, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Australia. Isolation or monitoring continues for 42 days after last exposure.

UPDATES

Latest MV Hondius hantavirus updates

These source-linked updates separate official notices from repatriation reporting.

WHO reports 11 cases; final passengers repatriated

WHO's May 12 briefing reports eleven cases in total, including nine confirmed as Andes virus and two probable, with three deaths. Oceanwide reports that 122 passengers and crew have been repatriated, while 27 people remain on board as the vessel continues to Rotterdam for disinfection and monitoring.

French and US evacuees test positive for hantavirus

A French passenger evacuated from Tenerife to Paris tested positive and was reported in serious condition. US officials said one American evacuee tested positive for the Andes strain while asymptomatic, and another had mild symptoms. Repatriation and 42-day monitoring continue.

UK cruise passengers enter isolation facility after repatriation

A Titan Airways flight brought UK-linked passengers from Tenerife to Manchester, after which they entered isolation and assessment at Arrowe Park Hospital in Wirral. UK authorities said the public risk remains low while monitoring continues.

MV Hondius reaches Tenerife and passenger evacuation begins

The ship arrived in the Canary Islands in the early hours of Sunday carrying 146 people. Spanish passengers were screened and taken off first, with repatriation flights planned for other countries. Passengers are being asked to isolate or remain under monitoring for 42 days after last potential exposure.

Why MV Hondius hantavirus monitoring continues

The MV Hondius hantavirus follow-up period matters because hantavirus symptoms can begin weeks after exposure. Passengers and close contacts are monitored so public-health teams can identify illness early, arrange testing, and reduce further risk.