#Andes #hantavirus {multi-country} #outbreak, #Update: 13 May 2026 (ECDC, edited)

 

    ECDC was notified on 2 May 2026 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. 

As of 13 May, a total of eleven cases have been reported, including eight confirmed, two probable, and one inconclusive. 

No new cases or deaths have been reported since the previous update. 

The MV Hondius cruise ship arrived at the port of Granadilla, Tenerife, on Sunday 10 May. 

Disembarkation of passengers and part of the crew was completed on 11 May and repatriation of all passengers and crew members to their countries was completed. 

The ship departed from Tenerife on 11 May and is scheduled to arrive in the Netherlands on 17 or 18 May.

The virus has been identified as Andes hantavirus, the only hantavirus that can be transmitted person-to-person, typically requiring close, prolonged contact. 

Measures are already in place on board of the ship to reduce the likelihood of infection among passengers and crew.

The risk to the EU/EEA general population is very low.

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-- Confirmed cases***: 8

-- Probable cases**: 2

-- Suspected cases*: 0

-- Inconclusive cases****: 1

-- Number of deaths: 3

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{*} A suspected case is a person who:

    ° Has been on or visited the same transport (e.g. ship or plane) where a confirmed or probable Andes hantavirus (ANDV) case was present, 

    - OR - 

    ° Has been in contact with a passenger or crew member of the MV Hondius since 5 April,

    - AND - 

    ° Has a fever (currently or recently),

    ° Plus at least one of the following symptoms: 

        - muscle aches

        - chills

        - headache

        - stomach problems (such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, or abdominal pain)

        - breathing problems (such as cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, or difficulty breathing)

{**} A probable case is a person who:

    ° Has the symptoms listed above, and

    ° Is known to have been in contact with a confirmed or probable ANDV case

{***} A confirmed case is a person who:

    ° Meets the suspected or probable case definition, and

    ° Has a laboratory test that confirms ANDV infection (PCR or antibody test)

{****} An inconclusive case means awaiting further laboratory investigations.

Non-case

° A non-case is a person who was initially considered a suspected or probable case, but tests negative for ANDV using laboratory tests (PCR or antibody test).

Source: 

Link: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/infectious-disease-topics/hantavirus-infection/surveillance-and-updates/andes-hantavirus-outbreak

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