Outbreak timeline

MV Hondius cluster

Important: This page tracks official publications only. It does not provide medical advice. If you were on the MV Hondius or had contact with a passenger, follow the guidance of your national health authority.

In April 2026, a cluster of severe respiratory illness caused by Andes hantavirus was identified on the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius. This page provides a chronological record of official publications from WHO, ECDC, CDC, and national authorities, with links to the original documents.

Status summary (as of latest official update)

As of 10 May 2026: 8 cases reported (6 confirmed, 2 probable), 3 deaths. Virus identified as Andes hantavirus. Ship arrived at Granadilla, Tenerife; passengers disembarking and repatriation flights underway. WHO global risk assessment: low. ECDC EU/EEA risk assessment: very low.

This summary reflects the most recent official publications listed below. It will be updated when new official figures are released.

Official publication timeline

1 Apr 2026

Ship departs Ushuaia, Argentina

MV Hondius departs with approximately 150 passengers and crew of 23 nationalities on an expedition route via Antarctica, South Georgia, Tristan da Cunha, St Helena, and Ascension Island.
6–11 Apr 2026

First illness onset on board

According to the WHO Disease Outbreak News, the first onset of symptoms occurred on 6 April in an adult passenger who had travelled in Argentina before boarding. The passenger died on board on 11 April.

Source: WHO DON599, 4 May 2026 ↗
24 Apr 2026

St Helena port call — passengers disembark

The ship stops at St Helena. Approximately 30 passengers disembark, including the partner of the first case. The partner later died in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 26 April.

Source: WHO DON599, 4 May 2026 ↗
2 May 2026

Cluster reported to WHO — Netherlands notifies ECDC

The Netherlands notifies a cluster of severe respiratory illness on MV Hondius via the Early Warning and Response System (EWRS). WHO is notified the same day. At notification: 2 deaths, 1 critically ill.

Source: ECDC Threat Assessment Brief, 6 May 2026 ↗
4 May 2026

WHO Disease Outbreak News — DON599

WHO publishes the first DON: 7 cases (2 confirmed, 5 suspected), 3 deaths. Hantavirus confirmed by PCR in two patients. Global risk assessed as low.

Source: WHO DON599 ↗
6 May 2026

ECDC Threat Assessment Brief — virus identified as Andes

ECDC publishes a detailed threat assessment. Virus confirmed as Andes hantavirus via sequencing. EU/EEA risk assessed as very low — the natural rodent reservoir for Andes virus is not present in Europe. Switzerland confirms an eighth case (passenger treated in Zurich).

Source: ECDC TAB, 6 May 2026 ↗
8 May 2026

WHO DON600 update — CDC press release — CDC HAN

WHO updates to 8 cases (6 confirmed, 2 probable), 3 deaths (CFR 38%). CDC issues a press release and a Health Alert Network advisory (HAN-00528), classifying its response as Level 3. CDC team dispatched to meet the ship in the Canary Islands.

Source: WHO DON600, 8 May 2026 ↗ Source: CDC press release, 8 May 2026 ↗ Source: CDC HAN-00528 ↗
10 May 2026

Ship arrives at Granadilla, Tenerife — disembarkation begins

MV Hondius arrives at the port of Granadilla in Tenerife, Canary Islands. Passengers begin disembarking under coordinated public-health protocols. Repatriation flights to multiple countries are organised.

Source: ECDC outbreak page (updated) ↗

This timeline will be updated as new official publications are released. Only Tier-1 sources (WHO, ECDC, CDC, national health authorities) are included. Media reports are not listed here but may appear in the media-signals panel on the main map.

Key official documents

Medical disclaimer: This timeline is for informational purposes only. If you were on MV Hondius or had contact with a passenger, follow the guidance of your national health authority. See our full medical disclaimer.

← Back to map