CDC Confirms Hantavirus Cruise Ship Outbreak, Reassures Americans Risk Remains "Extremely Low"

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a formal situation summary confirming its response to a deadly hantavirus cruise ship outbreak aboard the MV Hondius, a Dutch expedition vessel that departed Argentina in April 2026.

The CDC confirmed the virus responsible is the Andes virus, the only known hantavirus capable of limited human-to-human transmission, which causes Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), a severe respiratory illness with an estimated 38% fatality rate among patients who develop breathing complications.

Several MV Hondius passengers disembarked the ship before the outbreak was officially identified, with some already returning to the United States. The CDC immediately notified state health departments and began active contact tracing for these individuals and their families.

The agency is working alongside the U.S. State Department, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), and international public health partners to repatriate American passengers as quickly and safely as possible.

Early symptoms of HPS, fatigue, fever, and muscle aches, can appear 4 to 42 days after exposure, meaning new cases remain possible in the weeks ahead.

Despite the severity, the CDC was clear: "At this time, the overall risk to the American public and travellers remains extremely low. Routine travel can continue as normal."

No cases of the Andes virus have been reported in the United States as a result of this outbreak.