Three passengers died after a hantavirus outbreak occurred aboard the Antarctic expedition cruise ship MV Hondius [1].

The incident is significant because it involves a rare virus that has spread across international borders, prompting the World Health Organization to monitor the situation for potential person-to-person transmission.

The outbreak began in early May 2026 [2]. The MV Hondius departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, for an expedition to Antarctica before later heading toward the Canary Islands [3]. Health officials confirmed that infections have since been reported in five countries [1].

Investigations into the source of the virus suggest that exposure likely occurred while passengers were on the mainland in Ushuaia [4]. Officials believe the primary introduction of the virus may have been through rodent exposure [4]. However, the WHO said the specific strain involved in this outbreak can spread from person to person [1].

The WHO has conducted a risk assessment regarding the wider public and determined the risk is low [5]. As part of the ongoing monitoring and contact tracing, a flight attendant was tested for the virus and received a negative result [5].

The MV Hondius is an expedition vessel designed for polar travel. Hantaviruses are typically zoonotic, meaning they jump from animals to humans, but the possibility of human-to-human transmission in a confined environment like a cruise ship has increased the level of international surveillance [1].

“Three passengers died after a hantavirus outbreak occurred aboard the Antarctic expedition cruise ship MV Hondius.”

This outbreak highlights the complexities of managing public health on expedition cruises, where passengers move between remote wilderness areas and international hubs. While the WHO considers the general public risk low, the reported person-to-person transmission of a hantavirus strain is a critical detail for epidemiologists, as these viruses typically require direct contact with rodent excreta to infect humans.