WHO Says Hantavirus Outbreak on MV Hondius Cruise Ship Has Ended

The World Health Organization declared on July 2, 2026, that the hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius is over after 13 cases and three deaths, @ABC reported. The announcement followed the final contact of an exposed person completing a 42-day quarantine period, testing negative, and returning home. No further cases have been reported since May 25, 2026.

As of July 2, health authorities recorded a total of 13 cases linked to the ship—12 confirmed and one probable—along with three deaths, of which at least two were confirmed. All cases involved passengers or crew members aboard the vessel. The WHO received notification on May 2 of a cluster of severe acute respiratory illness on the ship, including two deaths and one critically ill passenger.

The MV Hondius had departed from Argentina on April 1. The first two cases had traveled through Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay on a bird-watching trip that included sites where the rodent species known to carry the virus was present. At least 11 confirmed cases tested positive for Andes virus.

More than 650 contacts were identified and followed up by health authorities in 33 countries and territories. Passengers disembarked in Tenerife, Spain, in May before being flown home. "Although the outbreak is over, WHO will continue working with governments and partners to advance our understanding of this outbreak and of hantavirus more generally," Dr.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. The organization is coordinating a study involving 21 countries to support development of diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines.