Hantavirus Andes Virus Outbreak on Cruise Ship Monitored as Monitoring Period Concludes for Exposed Passengers
A deadly Andes virus hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean was detected in May 2026, with subsequent monitoring showing no confirmed cases among exposed Americans. CDC and international partners coordinated response efforts to repatriate and monitor hundreds of potentially exposed passengers and crew members.
Outbreak Detection and Initial Response
CDC is responding to a deadly hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean, reported on May 2, 2026, caused by the Andes virus, which can lead to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). The cluster included two deaths and one critically ill passenger, whose laboratory tests confirmed hantavirus. HPS is a severe and potentially deadly disease that affects the lungs.
Passenger Monitoring and Safety Measures
CDC, in coordination with state and federal partners, repatriated 18 people who were potentially exposed to hantavirus on the M/V Hondius cruise ship in May 2026, and they were flown to the Nebraska Quarantine Unit (NQU) at the University of Nebraska Medical Center for a 42-day public health monitoring period. While 10 people remain at the NQU, eight have returned home to complete their monitoring, and all people remain symptom-free and have met the criteria established by public health officials to safely continue monitoring at home.
Conclusion of Initial Monitoring Period
Several U.S. passengers disembarked from the cruise ship and returned to the United States before the outbreak was identified, were monitored by their state and local health departments for a 42-day period that ended on June 6, no cases of hantavirus disease were detected, and no further public health follow-up is needed for these people. To date, no cases of Andes virus have been confirmed in the United States as a result of this outbreak, and the risk of a pandemic caused by this outbreak and the overall risk to the American public and travelers is extremely low.
Disease Transmission and Prevention
Hantaviruses are most commonly transmitted to humans through contact with infected rodents through urine, droppings, or saliva, and rarely, infection can occur from rodent bites or scratches. No specific treatment is recommended for hantavirus infection; early supportive care is critical even before the diagnosis is confirmed, patients with suspected HPS can deteriorate rapidly, and in severe cases, extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) can significantly improve survival (up to ~80%) if started early.