Geneva: The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship officially over after the final identified contact completed quarantine, tested negative, and returned home.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced that no new cases have been reported since May 25, allowing the organization to close the outbreak.
The outbreak resulted in 12 confirmed cases and one probable case, including three deaths.
International Contact Tracing Completed
According to the WHO, health authorities identified and monitored more than 650 contacts across 33 countries and territories during the response.
Although the outbreak has ended, the organization said efforts will continue to better understand the virus and improve preparedness for future outbreaks.
WHO is coordinating a study involving 21 countries to examine how the disease develops. The research is expected to support the development of improved diagnostic tools, treatments, and vaccines.
The #hantavirus outbreak is over.
However, @WHO will continue working with governments and partners to advance our understanding of the cause of this outbreak and of hantavirus more generally.
My thanks to all countries that supported the response, in line with the… pic.twitter.com/FMGHA7QOe5
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) July 2, 2026
Outbreak Originated During Cruise Voyage
The MV Hondius, a Dutch-flagged expedition cruise ship, departed Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1 and visited several remote islands in the South Atlantic, including Tristan da Cunha, before sailing towards Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands.
After cases were detected on board, the remaining passengers were evacuated in Tenerife. The vessel later arrived in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, on May 18. Following cleaning and disinfection, the ship was cleared to resume operations on May 30.
Investigation Into Source Continues
Hantavirus is primarily transmitted through infected rodents. The Andes virus, which caused the MV Hondius outbreak, is the only known hantavirus strain capable of human-to-human transmission.
Initial investigations suggested the first infected passenger may have contracted the virus while traveling in an endemic area of Argentina.
However, Argentina’s health ministry said in June that an investigation in a second province did not identify rodents carrying the virus, and investigations into the source of the outbreak are continuing.
LIVE: Media briefing on hantavirus, Ebola and global health issueswith @DrTedros https://t.co/tMfCDlRJ3S
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) July 2, 2026
WHO Calls for Continued Monitoring
WHO officials said that while the cruise ship outbreak has ended, hantaviruses remain a public health concern in parts of South America and other endemic regions.
Dr. Diana Rojas Alvarez, WHO’s lead for high-impact epidemics, said continued surveillance, research, and community preparedness remain important to reduce the risk of future outbreaks.
WHO also said it hopes the experience will support ongoing discussions among member states to complete the remaining elements of the Pandemic Agreement, aimed at strengthening global preparedness and response to future health emergencies.
