The Dutch-flagged polar expedition cruise ship MV Hondius faced a hantavirus outbreak during a voyage from southern Argentina, with the first positive cases detected around May 2, nine days before May 11, 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4]. At least 11 cases linked to the outbreak include nine confirmed and two suspected infections, involving the Andes hantavirus strain, one of the few types known to spread between humans [5, 6, 4, 7]. Three fatalities were reported: a Dutch couple and a German passenger died from the infection [1, 8, 6, 4].
All 94 passengers and crew have been evacuated in a multinational operation coordinated by Spain, the World Health Organization, the Netherlands, and other governments. Evacuations began May 10 in Tenerife, where many passengers were quarantined ashore to ease mental health strains borne from prolonged containment onboard [1, 8, 3, 5]. Spanish Health Minister Monica Garcia said, "Mission accomplished; we’ve just wrapped up the operation and the ship has just set sail" [1].
The last evacuees, totaling 28 including passengers, crew, and medical staff, arrived in Eindhoven, Netherlands on May 12 [2, 9, 8, 10]. Among them were six passengers (four Australians, one Briton living in Australia, one New Zealander) who entered quarantine before repatriation [2, 9, 10]. All passengers evacuated to the Netherlands tested negative for the Andes virus variant [7].
The MV Hondius sailed from Tenerife to Rotterdam on May 11 for disinfection, carrying 25 crew members, two medical staff, and the body of the German passenger who died onboard [2, 9, 8, 10]. In the UK, evacuated passengers, including British, German, and Japanese nationals, underwent a 72-hour hospital quarantine followed by 42 days of self-isolation at home, according to UK Health Security Agency protocols [6]. UKHSA chief scientific officer Professor Robin May reassured the public that "robust arrangements are in place, and that everyone involved will be looked after every step of the way" [6].
Dutch hospital Radboudumc quarantined 12 staff after hantavirus exposure due to procedural lapses linked to an evacuated patient [8, 4]. The WHO and countries varied in quarantine measures, with stricter protocols in Europe compared to a more relaxed US approach [5]. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus commented on the difficulty for passengers, saying, "There was even mental breakdown for some of the passengers. It’s very difficult to stay for weeks in a small container. This was the best and the only option we had" [1]. He also emphasized the low public health risk, adding, "This is not another Covid" [5].
The CDC classified the event as a Level 3 emergency response, its lowest activation level [7]. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stated, "This world does not need more selfishness or more fear. What it needs are countries willing to step forward in solidarity" [4].
The MV Hondius is expected to arrive in Rotterdam by May 17 for disinfection and to end its voyage [2, 9, 8, 10].
