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MV Hondius Outbreak 2026

Andes-strain hantavirus cluster linked to the expedition cruise ship MV Hondius. Updated with the latest WHO Disease Outbreak News.

⚠ Not a medical resource. This timeline aggregates public news and official reports for awareness only. For health guidance, see the CDC or your local health authority.

Latest numbers

5+
Confirmed cases
8
Suspected cases
3
Deaths

What we know

Timeline

13 May 2026
WHO DON601 published — Total cluster rises to 11 cases (8 confirmed ANDV, 2 probable, 1 inconclusive), 3 deaths. New cases in France, Spain, and USA (inconclusive). Ship departed Canary Islands for Rotterdam on 11 May with 25 crew remaining.
10–11 May 2026
Arrival & departure — MV Hondius arrived in Tenerife, Canary Islands on 10 May; passengers disembarked and were repatriated via non-commercial flights. One French passenger became symptomatic during repatriation. Ship departed for Rotterdam, Netherlands on 11 May with 25 crew and two Dutch health workers onboard.
7 May 2026
WHO DON600 published — WHO confirms 3 additional suspected cases turned positive, plus 1 new confirmed case. Total: 5 confirmed, 8 suspected, 3 deaths. UK Health Security Agency reports 2 British nationals who left the ship at St. Helena on 24 April are isolating at home as a precaution.
6 May 2026
Spain prepares — Ship expected to arrive at Granadilla port, Tenerife, within days. Spain's Health Minister Mónica García confirms reception protocols.
4 May 2026
WHO DON599 — Initial WHO Disease Outbreak News published on the multi-country cluster linked to cruise-ship travel.
2 May 2026
Third death on board — Third fatality confirmed aboard the MV Hondius.
Late April 2026
Outbreak begins — Initial cases detected aboard the MV Hondius near West Africa. Ship placed under health monitoring.

Related strains

The Andes strain is one of several hantavirus strains. Unlike the more common Sin Nombre strain (found primarily in the Americas), Andes has been documented to spread between humans in close-contact situations — making cruise-ship outbreaks particularly concerning.

For a general overview of symptoms and prevention, see our symptoms page.

Official sources