Hantavirus Outbreak on Dutch Cruise Ship Hondius Leaves Three Dead and Ten Americans in Quarantine

In April 2026 a rare Andes‑strain hantavirus outbreak struck the Dutch‑flagged cruise ship MV Hondius while sailing off the southern coast of Argentina. The disease claimed three passengers' lives and prompted a World Health Organization emergency response. The United States Centers for Disease Control sent a team to the Canary Islands, repatriated 18 American passengers, and placed 10 of them under quarantine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center; eight have since returned home. The ship was taken to the Netherlands for thorough disinfection.

Oceanwide Expeditions CEO Remi Bouys described the crisis management phases, noting the impact on operations—including three cancelled departures and a slowdown in May bookings—but expressed confidence that the brand remains resilient. The incident has spurred reviews of passenger health questionnaires and reinforced the need for formalised crisis protocols across the cruise industry.