Hantavirus update: Latest confirmations of virus figures

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, briefed media on 7 May on a cluster of hantavirus cases linked to a cruise ship, the MV Hondius.

Eight cases have been reported so far, including three deaths. Five of the eight cases have been confirmed as hantavirus.

The hantavirus involved is the Andes virus, the only species known to be capable of limited transmission between humans, linked to close and prolonged contact.

Describing the situation, Dr Tedros said, “While this is a serious incident, WHO assesses the public health risk as low.” He noted that, given the incubation period, “it’s possible that more cases may be reported”.

WHO is coordinating closely with multiple countries under the International Health Regulations or IHR, rules that define the rights and obligations of countries and WHO in responding to public health events. This event demonstrates why the IHR exist, demonstrating the importance of global cooperation and solidarity in responding to health threats that know no borders.

WHO has taken a number of actions since it was notified of the situation on Saturday, 2 May 2026. The latest of these include deploying an expert on board the ship, to support a comprehensive medical assessment of all passengers and crew, while gathering critical information to evaluate their risk of infection.

WHO has arranged for the shipment of 2,500 diagnostic kits from Argentina to laboratories in five countries to strengthen testing capacity. The Organization is also developing step-by-step operational guidance for the safe and respectful disembarkation and onward travel of passengers and crew when they arrive.

Oceanwide Expeditions released a statement saying that it “continues to manage an ongoing medical situation on board m/v Hondius.

“The second of two medicalized aircraft, carrying one of the three individuals transferred from m/v Hondius yesterday (6 May), has landed in the Netherlands. Specialist medical and screening teams have received the individual on board. All three individuals, two symptomatic and one asymptomatic, are now in the care of medical professionals."

The air ambulances from European Air Ambulance and Redstar Aviation performed evacuations of three patients. 

“Oceanwide Expeditions can confirm that on 1 April 2026, 114 guests boarded m/v Hondius in Ushuaia, Argentina,” the statement continued. “30 guests disembarked m/v Hondius on Saint Helena on 24 April 2026. This number includes the body of the guest who passed away on board m/v Hondius on 11 April 2026. The first confirmed case of hantavirus was not reported until 4 May 2026. These disembarked guests have all been contacted by Oceanwide Expeditions. We are working to establish details of all passengers and crew who embarked and disembarked on various stops of m/v Hondius since March 20.”

Nationalities of 30 guests who disembarked at St Helena 24 April 2026