Today marks a significant milestone in the 2026 hantavirus outbreak: the MV Hondius has received its official decontamination clearance certificate, closing the active phase of the world’s largest cruise-ship hantavirus cluster. But with 16 confirmed cases, two person-to-person transmissions in France, and WHO issuing binding new rules for the entire Antarctic cruise industry, the story is far from over.
Here is everything that happened in the last 48 hours.
MV Hondius Receives Decontamination Clearance
The MV Hondius decontamination clearance certificate was signed today (May 18), following final environmental swab results returned negative on May 17. All surface samples from the vessel — including the previously contaminated below-deck cargo areas — are confirmed clean.
The ship remains docked in Tenerife. Hurtigruten Expeditions has not yet announced a return-to-service timeline, pending review of WHO’s new biosafety requirements for expedition vessels.
The clearance does not affect the ongoing medical monitoring of the 16 confirmed cases or their contacts. Household monitoring continues for 60 days from last exposure per WHO guidance.
France: Second P2P Event Confirmed
Santé publique France confirmed on May 17 that a second French Hondius passenger’s household contact has tested positive for Andes virus. Genomic sequencing was conclusive: the sequence is identical to the French index case and cannot be attributed to independent environmental exposure.
France now has two confirmed person-to-person transmissions — more than any other affected country. Both secondary cases were hospitalised in moderate condition.
This makes France the most important site for ongoing P2P transmission research. Scientists are examining whether the double event reflects household exposure duration, incubation timing, or a specific host factor.
Netherlands: 16th Case Confirmed
RIVM confirmed on May 17 that a second Dutch MV Hondius passenger has tested positive. This is the 16th confirmed case globally. The patient is hospitalised in Amsterdam.
The Netherlands now has two confirmed Hondius cases. RIVM is conducting household contact tracing under the extended ECDC protocol.
WHO Expert Panel: Binding Rules for All Antarctic Cruises
The WHO two-day emergency expert panel concluded May 17 with the publication of binding interim recommendations:
- Onboard RT-PCR mandatory for all vessels departing from Patagonian ports
- Dedicated medical isolation cabin with separate ventilation required
- Pre-embarkation health screening for all passengers and crew
- IMO treaty integration recommended to extend rules beyond IAATO members
These are interim recommendations; WHO will review them before the 2026–2027 Antarctic season.
ECDC Broadens Contact Tracing in Europe
On May 16, ECDC expanded its guidance to cover not just household contacts but any individual with more than one hour of sustained indoor contact with a confirmed Hondius case within 14 days of their voyage return. EU/EEA national health authorities have been asked to identify and begin monitoring these extended contacts.
Argentina: 115 Cases and 38 Deaths
PAHO’s Saturday bulletin reported Argentina’s 2026 hantavirus pulmonary syndrome season advancing to 115 confirmed cases and 38 deaths, with two new fatalities in Río Negro province. Seasonal peak is expected within approximately two weeks.
Argentina’s season is unrelated to the Hondius outbreak — it is driven by domestic Oligoryzomys longicaudatus rodent reservoir activity in Patagonian rural communities.
USA: 2026 Season at 21 Cases
CDC confirmed new HPS cases in Montana and New Mexico on May 17, bringing the US 2026 season total to 21 — the highest count at this date since 2012. All US cases are domestically acquired and unrelated to the Hondius outbreak.
Italy: Stable, Contacts Under Tracing
The Italian Hondius case — a passenger hospitalised at Rome’s Spallanzani Institute, confirmed May 16 as the 15th case globally — remains in stable condition. Contact tracing for Italian passengers is underway under ISS coordination.
UK: All Contacts Cleared
UKHSA confirmed May 16 that all household and close contacts of the four British Hondius cases have tested negative at the 21-day mark. Monitoring continues to 60 days per WHO guidance. No additional UK cases are anticipated.
Where Things Stand: May 18 Snapshot
| Indicator | Current Value |
|---|---|
| Hondius confirmed cases | 16 |
| Countries affected | 11 |
| Confirmed P2P events | 2 (France) |
| MV Hondius status | Clearance issued May 18 |
| Argentina 2026 season | 115 cases / 38 deaths |
| USA 2026 season | 21 cases |
| WHO monitoring guidance | 60 days for household contacts |
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