MV Hondius — Hantavirus Outbreak 2026
Dutch polar expedition vessel. Andes virus confirmed (WHO DON599). 7 cases · 3 deaths aboard · quarantine: Mindelo, Cabo Verde.
Live ship tracker
⚠ CACHEDVessel specifications
Cases by nationality (on vessel)
WHO DON599 · 7 cases, 3 deaths| Nationality | Cases | Deaths | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇩🇪 Germany | 1 | 1 | 1 fatal |
| 🇵🇭 Philippines | 1 | 1 | 1 fatal |
| 🇦🇷 Argentina | 1 | 1 | 1 fatal |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | 2 | 0 | ICU / recovering |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 1 | 0 | Stable / discharged |
| 🇨🇱 Chile | 1 | 0 | Stable / discharged |
Event timeline
Full timeline →What happened
On 21 April 2026, the MV Hondius (operator: Oceanwide Expeditions) departed Ushuaia, Argentina on a South Atlantic polar expedition carrying 147 passengers and crew from 23 nationalities. The itinerary included landings on the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia, Nightingale Island, and Tristan da Cunha — remote islands with high rodent density and documented Andes virus reservoir hosts.
On 2 May, a German national (age 58) died aboard from severe acute respiratory distress. The vessel diverted toward Cape Verde. Two further deaths followed on May 4 (Filipino crew, age 41) and May 5 (Argentine national, age 67). A fourth patient was airlifted to Hospital Dr. Baptista de Sousa, Mindelo on mechanical ventilation.
WHO genomic sequencing (DON599, published 6 May 2026) definitively confirmed Andes orthohantavirus in three fatal cases. ECDC assessed risk to EU public as very low. Spain cleared the vessel to dock in Las Palmas, Canary Islands after quarantine review. Contact tracing is ongoing across 10 countries.
Frequently asked
All FAQs →Is hantavirus contagious between passengers?
Andes virus — confirmed in this outbreak — has limited documented human-to-human transmission (unlike North American Sin Nombre). The WHO investigated whether H2H transmission occurred on the MV Hondius. This is why the cluster pattern is unusual and concerning.
Where is the MV Hondius now?
The ship was quarantined in Mindelo, Cabo Verde from approximately May 3 2026. Spain subsequently cleared the vessel to dock in the Canary Islands. Live AIS position (MMSI: 244327000) is displayed on this page — refreshed every 3 minutes from AIS Hub.
What treatment did the patients receive?
HPS has no specific antiviral treatment. All ICU patients received supportive care: mechanical ventilation, vasopressors, and in critical cases ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation). Ribavirin was not used. Case fatality ratio for HPS is 35–50% even with maximal ICU support.
How was hantavirus detected on a ship?
Initial presentation mimicked bacterial pneumonia. Hantavirus serology (IgM/IgG ELISA) was ordered after standard antibiotic therapy failed. WHO-affiliated laboratory performed RT-PCR and phylogenetic sequencing, confirming Andes orthohantavirus genotype consistent with South Atlantic exposure zones.
What are the symptoms and when do they appear?
After 1–5 week incubation: high fever (38–40°C), severe myalgia (thighs, hips, back), fatigue, chills, nausea. Respiratory phase: pulmonary edema onset is sudden — often within 4–6 hours of prodrome end. Call 112/911 immediately if breathing worsens. Tell your doctor about the voyage.