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 26 May, 13 cases have been reported in total, including 11 confirmed and 2 probable cases. One new case and no new deaths have been reported since the previous update.

The two recent cases have been classified as confirmed following a revision of the case definition. A confirmed case is now defined, in alignment with WHO, as a person with laboratory confirmation of ANDV by PCR and/or serology.

The identification of additional cases after former passengers and crew have returned to their home country is expected given the long incubation period of Andes hantavirus and the possibility that some infections occurred on board on the ship. The risk to the EU/EEA general population 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.