Cruise Ship Hantavirus Outbreak on MV Hondius Linked to 13 Cases
Was the MV Hondius Following Proper Protocol to Prevent the Spread of the Hantavirus?
We discuss a Hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius, a Dutch expedition ship off the coast of Argentina, where three people died and seven contracted the Andes virus strain. We examine whether the ship followed proper safety protocols, questioning if adequate quarantine measures were implemented, if passengers were properly warned, and whether the medical team had sufficient biohazard protection. We explore the broader question of whether cruise ships have adequate protocols to prevent viral outbreaks. #CruiseNews #Hantavirus #CruiseShip #MVHondius #BreakingNews
♬ original sound – Spencer Aronfeld
As of May 27, 2026, a total of 13 cases (eleven confirmed and two probable cases), including three deaths, have been reported, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Since May 13, three additional confirmed cases have been reported among passengers or crew members, one each from Canada, the Netherlands, and Spain. All confirmed cases are among people who travelled onboard the MV Hondius Dutch cruise ship in April and May.
MV Hondius is a Dutch expedition cruise ship owned by Oceanwide Expeditions, based in the Netherlands.
Several of the passengers have been quarantined, in various countries, including 18 Americans who are staying in a biocontainment unit in Nebraska through the end of the month.
What is Hantavirus?
Hantaviruses are zoonotic viruses that naturally infect rodents (such as deer mice, rats, and voles) and are occasionally transmitted to humans. Humans typically contract hantavirus by breathing in airborne particles contaminated by infected rodent droppings, saliva, or urine. Infection in people can result in severe illness and often death.
In the Americas, infection has been known to lead to hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS). Initially, the virus causes flu-like symptoms but quickly progresses to a life-threatening condition where the lungs fill with fluid, causing severe breathing and heart issues.
In Europe and Asia, hantaviruses have been known to cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), which primarily affects the kidneys and blood vessels.
Can Hantavirus Spread from Person-to-Person?
Person-to-person spread of hantavirus is uncommon but may have occurred in the current outbreak on the MV Hondius. According to the World Health Organization, a rare type of hantavirus, called the Andes virus, may be responsible as it can spread from person to person through very close and prolonged contact.
Hantavirus can have a 42-day incubation period. The Andes strain causing the outbreak is the only known hantavirus capable of spreading from person to person.
Proving Negligence is Key
If a passenger wants to show that the cruise ship was responsible for him or her contracting an illness, it is important that he or she shows negligence on behalf of the ship or ship’s employees. If it is an isolated occurrence with only one person on the ship getting sick, it can be hard to prove negligence. However, if it involves an outbreak, proving negligence can be a little easier. The key is showing that the ship or its crew should have known or knew of the condition, which resulted in the outbreak of sickness.
A word of caution is to keep an eye on the statute of limitations. Depending on where the injury or illness happened, the time allotted to report the illness caused from negligent behavior can range from two to six years after the illness was contracted. Contact an attorney as soon as possible, even if you are still on your cruise, to discuss your rights and the time you must file a claim.
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Related Resources:
Hantavirus Key Facts According to the World Health Organization (WHO)