Andes Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship: 11 Cases Confirmed with 3 Deaths
<cite index="25-1,25-3">Seven people on a South Atlantic cruise ship have fallen ill with a rare hantavirus, and three have died, with eleven cases reported total as of May 14.</cite> <cite index="25-8">The virus has been identified as Andes hantavirus, the only hantavirus that can be transmitted person-to-person, typically requiring close, prolonged contact.</cite> <cite index="23-16">WHO currently assesses the risk to the global population from this event as low.</cite>
Outbreak Details
ECDC was notified on 2 May 2026 of a cluster of severe respiratory illness on MV Hondius, a Dutch-flagged cruise ship with passengers and crew from 23 countries, including nine EU/EEA countries. As of 14 May, a total of eleven cases have been reported, including eight confirmed, two probable, and one inconclusive, with no new cases or deaths reported since the previous update.
Virus Characteristics & Transmission
Human hantavirus infection is primarily acquired through contact with the urine, faeces, or saliva of infected rodents and is a rare but severe disease that can be deadly. Person-to-person spread of Andes virus is usually limited to those who have close, prolonged contact with an infected individual — such as direct physical contact, sharing utensils, or exposure to respiratory secretions.
Public Health Response
The MV Hondius cruise ship arrived at the port of Granadilla, Tenerife, on Sunday 10 May, with disembarkation of passengers and part of the crew completed on 11 May and repatriation of all passengers and crew members to their countries completed. The risk to the public's health in the United States is considered extremely low at this time, and CDC is working to increase awareness of the outbreak among travelers, public health agencies, laboratories, and healthcare professionals nationwide.