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Hantavirus cluster on cruise ship (MV Hondius)

Currently, there is an outbreak of Andes hantavirus associated with a cruise ship in Tenerife. As of July 2, 2026, there have been 12 confirmed cases, 1 probable case, and 3 deaths reported. The affected individuals come from 23 different nationalities. The official risk level is assessed as "very low".

Personal risk
Risk low

Transmission requires direct contact with cases or rodent exposure; travel/contact risk in continental Europe is very low.

WHO global assessment
Risk very lowECDC
As of: 02 July 2026 · Source: WHO
Published by Dominik Martin · Software engineer and data aggregator· Methodology last reviewed: 17 May 2026· Methodology version 1.0
Data checked: 02 July 2026Editorially reviewed: 17 May 2026Editorial review older than 90 days
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12
confirmed
1
suspected
3
deaths
Source: WHO, as of 2 Jul

What is known so far

On May 9, 2026, ECDC issued rapid scientific advice on the management of passengers related to the Andes virus outbreak on the cruise ship MV Hondius [ECDC]. On May 19, 2026, the CDC provided an update on the hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship [CDC]. On July 2, 2026, WHO reported a total of 13 cases (12 confirmed and 1 probable case) and 3 deaths associated with the cruise ship [WHO]. WHO noted that the outbreak was managed through a coordinated international response, which included comprehensive epidemiological investigations and case isolation. On August 20, 2026, ECDC reported an imported case of Andes hantavirus in the EU/EEA identified in a traveler from Argentina [ECDC].

Pathogen: Andes hantavirus

The identified pathogen is Andes hantavirus, which is endemic in parts of South America. Hantaviruses generally spread from rodents to humans, most often through inhalation of dust or small particles from infected rodents' urine, droppings or saliva, particularly in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces. Andes hantavirus is the only hantavirus for which person-to-person transmission has been described; it typically requires close and prolonged contact. The hantavirus pulmonary syndrome caused by Andes hantavirus is severe, with fever and general symptoms followed by rapid respiratory distress and circulatory shock.

Official response

On 6 May 2026, ECDC published a Threat Assessment Brief on the risk to Europe and deployed an EU Health Task Force expert onboard. The response is coordinated with national authorities in Spain, the Netherlands, other EU/EEA countries, the United Kingdom and WHO. Precautionary medical evacuation of symptomatic individuals and their close contacts is being considered.

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InfectRisk tracks respiratory infections (influenza, COVID, RSV) in 35 countries, based on national surveillance systems. Hantavirus outbreaks are outside our app data stream; the authoritative sources are WHO Disease Outbreak News and ECDC. This page consolidates the official notifications and their assessment.

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Sources

Content reviewed on 17 May 2026 by Dominik Martin. The page is updated when new official assessments become available; the review date at the top reflects the latest revision. Corrections or additions: email dominik@infectrisk.com.
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