MV Hondius arrival prompts WHO reassurance to Tenerife over hantavirus fears
Updated
Updated · CNN · May 9
MV Hondius arrival prompts WHO reassurance to Tenerife over hantavirus fears
13 articles · Updated · CNN · May 9
Argentina has logged 101 confirmed cases and 32 deaths this season, while the ship from Ushuaia is due at Granadilla on Sunday with no symptomatic passengers aboard.
Authorities are tracing a Dutch couple who died after travelling through Argentina, Chile and Uruguay before boarding, as officials investigate where the outbreak-linked Andes strain was contracted.
Experts say climate change, habitat loss and extreme weather are expanding infected rodents into new areas, helping drive Argentina's highest infection count since 2018 and fuelling public anxiety.
How will health officials find dozens of untraced passengers now scattered across four continents?
With a 38% fatality rate, is this hantavirus outbreak a greater threat than officials are admitting?
Inside the MV Hondius Hantavirus Outbreak: Deaths, Global Response, and Public Health Lessons from May 2026
Overview
On May 9, 2026, the MV Hondius cruise ship faced a hantavirus outbreak that resulted in three passenger deaths and infections among five who had already disembarked. Despite these losses, the situation improved as no new symptomatic cases were reported on board, according to both the cruise operator and the World Health Organization. This stabilization allowed for a more controlled evacuation and repatriation process. The outbreak highlighted the importance of international coordination, rapid health assessments, and clear communication to manage global health crises and ensure passenger safety.