#Advice on laboratory #testing of #Andes virus (ANDV) for high-risk #contacts under the MV Hondius #outbreak, 14 May 2026 (ECDC, summary)

 

Scope of this document

    This document provides practical considerations for public health authorities in European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) countries on laboratory testing for Andes virus (ANDV), with a focus on asymptomatic high-risk contacts of cases from the cruise ship MV Hondius [1].  

    The aim of this document is to support informed decision-making around testing, with a focus on the potential benefits, limitations and consequences of testing asymptomatic high-risk contacts, based on the available scientific evidence. 

    This document does not prescribe a single approach and is intended to help national public health authorities decide if, when, and how laboratory testing could be used in this context, considering the local epidemiological situation, resources and public health policies. 

    This document complements case finding and contact tracing activities as well as guidelines on contact management [1], and assumes regular and active symptom monitoring. 

    In this document, ECDC provides the following support to countries in the decision-making process: 

        • Recommendations for testing symptomatic and asymptomatic contacts; 

        • Advantages and disadvantages of PCR testing for ANDV in asymptomatic high-risk contacts from the MV Hondius outbreak; 

        • A decision tree with more information on the testing strategy proposed. 

Recommendations for testing symptomatic and asymptomatic contacts 

    In this document, Day 0 refers to the date of last known possible exposure to ANDV. 

    For cruise ship passengers and crew who disembarked in Tenerife, this is defined as 10 May 2026. 

    For others, the last known date of possible exposure (Day 0) may differ between individuals depending on their specific exposure history (e.g. passengers and crew who disembarked at different locations or subsequent close contacts). 

    The quarantine period starts on Day 0 and lasts six weeks. 

Symptomatic contacts: 

    We recommend testing symptomatic contacts as soon as possible after the onset of symptoms, combined with active monitoring during the six-week quarantine period, as this remains the most evidence-based approach.  

Asymptomatic contacts: 

    Testing asymptomatic contacts for ANDV can in some cases detect infection before symptom onset, but the results do not predict infectiousness or disease progression. 

    Asymptomatic testing can be considered if resources allow, providing the results are interpreted cautiously and communicated to patients clearly. 

    Testing asymptomatic contacts in the context of the ANDV disease outbreak on the MV Hondius could provide data on the timing from testing positive to developing symptoms. 

    If repeat testing is offered, data on peak viral load, viral clearance, seroconversion and potentially other findings, depending on the research protocols, can also be collected. 

    These data could support the risk assessment in subsequent outbreaks.  

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Suggested citation: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Advice on laboratory testing of Andes virus (ANDV) for high-risk contacts under the MV Hondius outbreak – 14 May 2026. Stockholm: ECDC; 2026. 

Source: 

Link: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/advice-laboratory-testing-andes-virus-andv-high-risk-contacts-under-mv-hondius

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