The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified the Andes strain of hantavirus as a probable cause of severe respiratory illnesses aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship. This vessel, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, set sail from Ushuaia, Argentina, in late March 2026, with stops in Antarctica and the South Atlantic before reaching Cape Verde.
Currently, seven cases have been recorded among the approximately 147 passengers and crew members, with two confirmed as hantavirus infections. Tragically, three people have died, and one individual remains critically ill, while others exhibit mild symptoms.
Passengers have been advised to stay in their cabins, as medical teams equipped with personal protective gear have boarded to conduct testing and provide necessary care. The investigative focus is on the Andes virus, endemic to specific regions in Argentina and Chile, based on the origin of the cruise and the symptoms presented.
Transmission Concerns
Laboratory sequencing is still in progress, but the WHO is operating on the assumption that the Andes virus is implicated. Unlike most hantaviruses, which are primarily transmitted through contact with infected rodent droppings, urine, or saliva, the Andes strain has a documented, though limited, potential for person-to-person transmission.
This transmission typically occurs through close contact, such as among cabin mates or intimate partners. It is not regarded as airborne and does not spread easily through casual interactions.
Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO’s director for epidemic preparedness, noted that human-to-human transmission appears to be occurring among close contacts. The confined space and the small number of individuals on board heighten concerns about the potential for further infections.
Health Risk Assessment
The Andes strain carries a high case fatality rate of about 40% in reported outbreaks. However, the WHO assesses the overall risk to the general public as low, highlighting that the virus requires specific conditions to spread, and basic infection control measures can effectively mitigate risks.
No signs of wider community transmission have been detected outside the vessel. Investigations are ongoing to trace the outbreak’s origin, examining whether initial exposure occurred prior to boarding or during port visits along the cruise itinerary.
As the situation develops, Spanish authorities are conditional about granting docking permission in the Canary Islands, pending further epidemiological insights. Medical evacuations are underway for the most seriously affected passengers, along with international collaboration for clinical management, testing, and risk evaluation.
Monitoring continues, with anticipations for further updates as laboratory results and onboard investigations progress.
