Hantavirus Outbreak on Antarctic Cruise Ship 'MV Hondius'

An outbreak of hantavirus on the Antarctic cruise ship MV Hondius has led to multiple deaths and prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to classify the situation as an outbreak. Spanish authorities initiated screening and repatriation of passengers and crew.

Sun May 10 2026

Hantavirus Spreads Aboard Antarctic Cruise Ship MV Hondius

The Antarctic cruise ship MV Hondius has experienced a hantavirus outbreak, raising international concerns. The incident began after a Dutch couple, who had traveled through Argentina and Chile, boarded the cruise ship in Ushuaia on April 1. Ten days later, the 70-year-old Dutch man developed respiratory distress and subsequently died onboard. His body was removed at St Helena in the South Atlantic on April 24, where his wife also disembarked.

Deaths and WHO Classification of Outbreak

The Dutch man's wife later collapsed while attempting to board a flight to Amsterdam from Johannesburg and died on April 26. A British passenger was evacuated from the ship via Ascension Island on April 27 and later tested positive for hantavirus in South Africa. On May 2, a German woman died onboard near Cape Verde. Three more people were evacuated on May 6, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to classify the situation as an outbreak. The vessel later reached Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands, where authorities began screening and repatriating around 140 passengers and crew from about 20 countries.

*Source: YouTube: Al Jazeera English (2026-05-10)*

Tags: #Hantavirus #MV Hondius #Antarctic Cruise #WHO #Spain