HEALTHHantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship Raises Alarm Among Experts
A hantavirus outbreak on a ship leaves three dead, as experts warn of risks linked to a deadly strain.
May 11 2026, Published 9:05 a.m. ET
A hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship has resulted in the deaths of three passengers and illness in at least four others. Health experts express concern over the implications of the outbreak, which appears to be linked to a rare strain of the virus.
A deadly hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius has killed three passengers and sickened several others.
The World Health Organization reported that no rodents have been found on the cruise liner, where people typically contract the virus from the f----, u----, or saliva of infected rodents.
“The situation is particularly concerning given that it appears that this is likely the Andean strain of hantavirus,” stated Donna A. Patterson, a professor at Delaware State University.
Experts believe the rare Andean strain may be involved, which carries a high mortality rate.
The cruise departed from Argentina on March 20, a region known for the Andean strain, and was stranded off the coast of West Africa since Monday, May 4. The mortality rate for this strain can reach up to 40 percent, raising concerns about the effectiveness of quarantine measures in the confined space of the 353-foot-long ship.
The ship departed from Argentina.
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Experts emphasize that understanding the source of the infections is crucial. “If passengers were exposed during shore excursions, it’s possible multiple individuals were infected at the same time,” explained Dr. Raymond Alvarez, an immunologist and virologist.
He added that if initial infections occurred onboard, the risk of further transmission increases, necessitating more aggressive containment measures.
The average quarantine period for hantavirus is three to four weeks, although it can extend up to five weeks for monitoring purposes.
“The virus has a long incubation period,” said Jill Roberts, a molecular epidemiology expert at the University of South Florida College of Public Health.
While quarantine is essential for preventing further spread, unique challenges arise in a cruise ship environment.
Patterson noted that “given the design of cruise ships, including close quarters and opportunities for re-circulated air, this could lead to more passengers potentially becoming infected.”
Experts agree that isolating passengers may not significantly prevent the spread of illness. Dr. Carrie Horn, chief medical officer at National Jewish Health, mentioned that understanding how and where patients contracted the virus is vital for determining the necessity of prolonged quarantines.
Specialists warn that close quarters on cruise ships could increase the risk of transmission.
The passengers disembarked on May 10. However, local contamination risks require careful execution of disembarkation protocols. Patterson warns that to protect local populations, there needs to be a designated area for isolation and quarantine.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the outbreak, physician Zaid Fadul reassures the public that there is no need for panic.
“They could have picked it up anywhere — I don’t think it came from the ship,” he stated.
Giulia Gallo, a virus researcher, supports this view, asserting that the outbreak likely resulted from contact with infected rodents in South America.
Passengers are encouraged to maintain good hygiene practices to minimize infection risks. “The best thing they can do to stay safe is to minimize the risk of other infections,” emphasized Dr. Horn.
