Deadly Hantavirus Outbreak Aboard Cruise Ship MV Hondius Spreads; Ships Arrives in Canary Islands
A cruise ship with a deadly hantavirus outbreak killed three people and infected eight others. The MV Hondius arrived in Spain's Canary Islands on May 9, 2026, with health authorities worldwide monitoring passengers scattered across multiple countries for potential spread of the rare Andes virus strain.
Hantavirus Outbreak Contained at Sea
Current Status: A total of eight confirmed cases with three deaths have been reported in connection with hantavirus aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius in the Atlantic Ocean. The Virus: Health authorities confirmed the outbreak involves the Andes strain of hantavirus, the only strain known to spread from person-to-person, raising concerns about potential pandemic risks.
Outbreak Timeline & Spread
The outbreak began in early April 2026 aboard the MV Hondius. The ship carried over 150 passengers who have since dispersed globally. Health officials in at least a dozen countries are now monitoring exposed passengers, as symptoms can take 2-8 weeks to develop.
Global Response
- The World Health Organization (WHO) chief is present in the Canary Islands to coordinate evacuation efforts
- More than 100 passengers remain aboard; 17 are Americans
- Spanish authorities coordinating repatriation flights for passengers from the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Belgium, Ireland, and Netherlands
- American passengers will be evaluated upon arrival and offered home-based monitoring for 42 days
Risk Assessment
Experts stress the situation is not similar to COVID-19. The overall public health risk remains low, though some person-to-person spread may occur.