An outbreak of hantavirus infections occurred on board the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius, resulting in 6 confirmed cases and 2 probable cases, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) [1, 2, 3]. The confirmed infections involved the Andes strain of hantavirus, known for limited human-to-human transmission during close and prolonged contact, mainly seen in Argentina and Chile [1, 2, 4, 3].
Three passengers linked to the MV Hondius outbreak have died: a confirmed Dutch female passenger who died in a Johannesburg hospital, a probable Dutch male case who died aboard the ship, and one confirmed German woman who passed away on board [4, 3]. Several British nationals were also among the confirmed or probable cases and were evacuated to South Africa and the Netherlands for treatment [3].
The MV Hondius departed Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1 and made several stops including Saint Helena before heading to Rotterdam, expected to arrive by May 17 [4, 3]. Symptoms in the first probable fatal case, a 70-year-old Dutch man, began on April 6 and he died five days later [3]. The confirmed Dutch woman passenger left the ship on April 25 and died the following day [4, 3]. British passengers developed symptoms between April 27 and 28 and were evacuated soon after [3].
In France, 26 close contacts of cases linked to the MV Hondius tested negative for hantavirus, except one French passenger who tested positive and is in serious condition, France’s Health Minister Stephanie Rist said: "As of today, all close contacts of a person who tested positive for hantavirus, present in France, have tested negative, without exception" [5].
Dutch authorities reported all evacuees arriving from MV Hondius testing negative other than confirmed cases [5]. Singapore quarantined two residents who traveled on the same flight as a confirmed patient; both tested negative and remain in quarantine for 30 days from last exposure [1, 2].
Indonesia is monitoring a foreign employee in Jakarta who was a close contact of a suspected hantavirus case linked to the cruise ship; however, the individual tested negative, is stable, and shows no symptoms, Acting Director-General for Disease Prevention and Control Andi Saguni said [4]. Indonesian Health Ministry spokesperson Aji Muhawarman added, "The patients had no connection with the cases detected on board of Hondius as they had no recent histories of travelling to other countries" [1]. Since 2024, Indonesia has recorded 23 confirmed hantavirus cases and 3 deaths, including 5 cases so far in 2026, but none have been linked to the MV Hondius outbreak [1, 2, 4].
WHO issued alerts on May 2 after reports of severe respiratory illness aboard MV Hondius [1, 2]. Indonesian monitoring of close contacts began on May 7, and confirmation of the 6 hantavirus infections on the ship was announced on May 8 [1, 2, 4]. France’s report on close contacts was released on May 13 [5].
The MV Hondius is scheduled to arrive in Rotterdam by May 17, where further health monitoring and investigations are expected to continue as authorities work to control the outbreak [4, 3].
