Andes hantavirus outbreak in cruise ship

On 2 May 2026, ECDC was notified of a cluster of severe respiratory illness on MV Hondius, a Dutch-flagged cruise ship with passengers and crew from 23 countries, including nine EU/EEA countries. The virus has been identified as Andes hantavirus.

As of 17 June 2026, 13 cases have been reported in total, including 12 confirmed and one probable case.

As of 17 June 2026, some of the identified contacts associated with the outbreak have completed their quarantine period, while others are expected to do so in the coming days. Public health authorities continue to monitor the identified contacts however, based on the information currently available, the likelihood of additional cases related to this event is considered very low. The risk to the general population in the EU/EEA remains very low.

*Suspected case: Anyone who shared or visited a conveyance where there has been a confirmed or probable ANDV case OR anyone who has been in contact with a probable or confirmed ANDV case AND with acute (or history of) symptoms compatible with ANDV infection, including fever (38°C or above), myalgia, chills, acute gastrointestinal (e.g. nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain) or acute respiratory (e.g. cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, difficulty breathing) symptoms.

**Probable case: A person with signs and symptoms of a suspected case AND a known epidemiological link with a confirmed or probable ANDV case.

***Confirmed case: A person with laboratory confirmation of ANDV through PCR and/or by serology.

Non-case: A suspected or probable case who tests negative for ANDV by PCR and/or serology.