MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak drives US quarantine of 18 passengers

A hantavirus outbreak was identified on the cruise ship MV Hondius, which docked in Granadilla, Tenerife on 10 May after sailing from Ushuaia, Argentina. The vessel carried 147 passengers and crew, and the outbreak has been linked to at least 11 confirmed cases and three deaths across several countries.

Eighteen evacuees – 17 U.S. citizens and one British resident – were repatriated to the United States and placed in mandatory quarantine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center until 31 May, completing a 21‑day monitoring period. U.S. health officials said no domestic hantavirus cases have been detected and the risk to the public remains low. Over 440 contacts have been identified worldwide, with cases reported in Spain, France, South Africa, Canada and others. Spanish passengers who tested negative have been released from isolation.

Authorities in Spain, the United States and other affected nations continue contact tracing and surveillance as the situation evolves.