Hantavirus cases from cruise ship outbreak rise to 13 with new case in Spain, WHO reports

May 27, 2026

The World Health Organization reports that a Hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship has grown to 13 cases, including three deaths. A new case was confirmed in Spain among a quarantined passenger. The outbreak involves the rare Andes subtype, which can spread between humans. An international response has led to the quarantine of passengers and crew, and the ship is being disinfected in Rotterdam.

MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak

▪A Hantavirus outbreak was first reported on May 2, 2026, aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship, which carried 150 passengers.
▪All passengers, crew, and medical staff have disembarked from the MV Hondius luxury liner.

Andes subtype human transmission

▪The virus variant in the MV Hondius outbreak is the Andes subtype, the only form of Hantavirus known to spread between humans.
▪Hantaviruses are rodent-borne viruses, with an estimated 10,000 to 100,000 human cases globally each year.

Thirteen total cases reported

▪The WHO warned more cases were likely as Hantavirus symptoms can take up to six weeks to develop.
▪Spain reported the 13th case on May 25, 2026, involving a passenger who was in quarantine at the Gómez Ulla military hospital in Madrid.
▪The total number of Hantavirus cases from the MV Hondius outbreak has reached 13, including 11 confirmed and two probable cases.

Three passenger fatalities

▪The Hantavirus outbreak has caused three deaths, with no new fatalities reported since May 2, 2026.
▪The three deceased passengers were a Dutch couple and a German woman.

International passenger quarantine response

▪Infected individuals include a Dutch crew member and passengers from Switzerland, France, Canada, Spain, and the U.K.

Ship disinfection operational delays

▪The departure of the MV Hondius from Rotterdam was delayed for additional cleaning as required by authorities.
▪Specialist workers in full protective gear began disinfecting the MV Hondius after it docked in Rotterdam on May 18, 2026.