A deadly hantavirus outbreak aboard the expedition cruise ship MV Hondius has prompted an international emergency response as countries rush to repatriate and monitor passengers. Health authorities confirmed two additional positive cases Monday involving a French woman and an American passenger, bringing the total number of confirmed infections to at least six. Three passengers have died since the outbreak began, while governments worldwide continue quarantine and monitoring measures to prevent further spread.
Emergency Evacuations Continue Across Multiple Countries
Passengers from the MV Hondius began returning home Sunday aboard military and government aircraft after the ship anchored in the Canary Islands. Medical teams wearing full-body protective equipment and breathing masks escorted travelers from the vessel to shore in Tenerife as part of the large-scale evacuation effort.
The operation involved passengers from more than 20 countries, with health authorities coordinating quarantine procedures and medical evaluations upon arrival. Spain’s Health Minister Mónica García confirmed that a Dutch aircraft would transport additional passengers after earlier evacuation plans involving Australia were adjusted.
As of Monday, 54 passengers and crew members remained aboard the ship. Of those, 22 were expected to disembark while 32 would stay onboard as the vessel returns to the Netherlands.
French and American Passengers Test Positive
French Health Minister Stephanie Rist confirmed Monday that a French passenger repatriated to Paris had tested positive for hantavirus after developing symptoms during the flight home. Officials also reported that her condition worsened overnight while hospitalized.
In the United States, health authorities said one passenger evacuated to Nebraska tested positive despite showing no symptoms, while another individual displayed mild symptoms. The group of 18 American passengers arrived early Monday and was transferred to the University of Nebraska Medical Center for evaluation and quarantine procedures.
“The passenger who is going to the Biocontainment Unit tested positive for the virus but does not have symptoms,” said Kayla Thomas, spokesperson for the Nebraska Medicine network assisting with patient care.
The Nebraska facility previously treated patients during the COVID-19 pandemic and earlier Ebola outbreaks, making it one of the country’s specialized centers for highly infectious diseases.
Captain Praises Unity During Crisis at Sea
The ship’s captain, Jan Dobrogowski, released a video statement Monday recognizing the efforts of both passengers and crew throughout the crisis.
“I’ve witnessed your caring, your unity and quiet strength amongst everybody on board — guests and crew alike — and I must commend my crew for the courage and the selfless resolve that they showed time and again in the most difficult moments,” Dobrogowski said. “I could not imagine sailing through these circumstances with a better group of people, guests and crew alike.”
The captain also paid tribute to the victims who died during the outbreak.
“My thoughts are with the ones that are no longer with us, and whatever I say will not ease this loss, but I’d like you to know that they are with us every day in our hearts and our thoughts,” he added.
WHO Says Public Risk Remains Low
Despite the seriousness of the outbreak, World Health Organization officials emphasized that the threat to the broader public remains limited. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged people not to panic.
“This is not another COVID. And the risk to the public is low. So they shouldn’t be scared, and they shouldn’t panic,” Tedros said Sunday.
Health experts explain that hantavirus is typically spread through exposure to rodent droppings and is not easily transmitted between humans. However, the Andes virus strain involved in this outbreak may allow rare person-to-person transmission.
Symptoms can appear between one and eight weeks after exposure and may include fever, chills, muscle aches, and respiratory complications.
Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO director of epidemic and pandemic preparedness, said the organization recommends active monitoring of former passengers.
“Have active monitoring and follow-up, which means daily health checks, either at home or in a specialized facility,” she explained.
Timeline of the Outbreak Raises Questions
The MV Hondius departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1 for its expedition voyage. The first reported death occurred on April 11 when a Dutch passenger died onboard.
A British passenger later became seriously ill and was evacuated to a hospital in Johannesburg on April 27. South African officials reported Monday that his condition was gradually improving.
It was not until early May that the World Health Organization publicly announced it was responding to a suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard the ship, which by then had traveled near Cape Verde off the coast of West Africa.
The incident marks the first known hantavirus outbreak linked to a cruise ship, prompting increased international concern and strict monitoring procedures for all former passengers and crew members.
Global Health Authorities Maintain Vigilance
Countries receiving passengers from the ship have implemented varying quarantine, isolation, and observation protocols as officials work to prevent additional infections. Medical experts continue studying the outbreak closely because of the unusual setting and the potential involvement of the Andes virus strain.
While officials stress that the public should not panic, the outbreak has highlighted the challenges of containing infectious diseases in confined international travel environments. With several passengers still under medical observation and dozens remaining onboard, health authorities around the world continue monitoring the situation carefully in the days ahead.
