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Hantavirus Cluster Linked to MV Hondius Remains Contained as New Spanish Case Isolated

Health officials say the discovery of an additional infected evacuee heightens the need for extended monitoring because the Andes virus can rarely spread between people and has a long incubation period.

People in protective gear remove waste from the MV Hondius cruise ship after its arrival at the Port of Rotterdam, Netherlands, Monday, May 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Post)
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A woman in protective gear stands in front of the MV Hondius cruise ship to check on disembarking crew members after its arrival at the Port of Rotterdam, Netherlands, Monday, May 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Post)

Overview

  • The outbreak tied to the MV Hondius was first reported to the World Health Organization on May 2 and has produced about a dozen confirmed infections and three deaths, with no new fatalities reported since the initial cluster.
  • Spanish authorities detected a new positive case among evacuees who have been in hospital quarantine in Madrid, and the patient was moved to a high‑level isolation unit after routine testing.
  • U.S. public health teams expanded contact monitoring to roughly 57 people following shared flights with exposed passengers and continue to oversee 18 Americans placed in federal quarantine facilities in Nebraska and Georgia.
  • The Hondius is in Rotterdam for additional cleaning after local health inspectors advised more disinfection and Oceanwide Expeditions said final clearance will follow a GGD inspection before the ship departs.
  • Officials have mobilized research and diagnostic efforts, including an HHS PREP declaration to speed countermeasure work and new research‑use ELISA antibody kits, but there are no licensed treatments or vaccines so care remains supportive and monitoring runs through a full incubation window.