All Tracked Events

WHO and IAATO inspection team en route to Rotterdam for June 12 final check

Rotterdam, Netherlands · 2026-06-10

WHO and IAATO joint inspection team departs for Rotterdam ahead of the June 12 final biosafety assessment of MV Hondius. Team will verify PCR lab, isolation cabins, rodent exclusion, and crew certification. A pass certificate enables conditional return-to-service approval.

WHO and IAATO begin pre-inspection logistics for June 12 MV Hondius visit

Rotterdam, Netherlands · 2026-06-09

WHO and IAATO inspectors confirm travel and documentation arrangements for the June 12 final biosafety inspection of MV Hondius. Team will verify PCR lab certification, isolation cabin standards, crew training records, and rodent exclusion documentation.

WHO and IAATO schedule final MV Hondius inspection in Rotterdam

Rotterdam, Netherlands · 2026-06-08

WHO and IAATO schedule a final joint inspection for MV Hondius after completion of the ship's PCR laboratory, isolation cabins, crew biosafety certification, and ventilation validation. Inspection outcome will determine readiness for future passenger operations.

ECDC lowers Hondius cluster risk from MODERATE to LOW

Stockholm, Sweden · 2026-06-06

ECDC formally downgrades the MV Hondius cluster to LOW risk after Dutch and French cohorts clear follow-up and no new cases emerge after May 19. Only a small residual contact cohort remains under active 60-day monitoring.

MV Hondius arrives Rotterdam for mandatory biosafety refit

Rotterdam, Netherlands · 2026-05-26

MV Hondius arrives at Rotterdam shipyard to begin mandatory biosafety infrastructure upgrades: onboard RT-PCR laboratory, two dedicated isolation cabins, and rodent exclusion enhancements. WHO and IAATO joint inspection required before resuming passenger service.

WHO-IMO taskforce releases first working draft of Antarctic expedition vessel biosafety code

Geneva, Switzerland · 2026-05-25

First working draft of the Antarctic expedition vessel biosafety code published for stakeholder consultation. Covers mandatory PCR capacity, isolation cabin requirements, rodent exclusion at ports, and crew health certification. 30-day consultation period opens.

ECDC publishes updated rapid risk assessment — 14-day pre-symptomatic window formalized

Stockholm, Sweden · 2026-05-21

ECDC's revised rapid risk assessment formalizes the 14-day pre-symptomatic exposure window and expands EU/EEA contact tracing eligibility beyond household contacts. HIGH risk classification maintained for the Hondius cluster.

WHO and IMO hold first taskforce meeting on Antarctic expedition biosafety standards

Geneva, Switzerland · 2026-05-20

WHO and IMO convene their first joint taskforce meeting to set the implementation schedule for expedition vessel biosafety standards before the next Antarctic season.

CDC updates HPS clinical workflow for ED and ICU teams

Atlanta, United States · 2026-05-20

CDC publishes updated clinical workflow guidance for suspected hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, focusing on early escalation, oxygenation, and repeat testing when initial results are negative.

Netherlands confirms 17th global Hondius case — third Dutch passenger positive

Rotterdam, Netherlands · 2026-05-19

RIVM confirms a third Dutch passenger linked to MV Hondius has tested positive for Andes virus. Global Hondius total reaches 17 confirmed cases. Household contacts enter 60-day monitoring.

WHO and IMO launch joint taskforce to codify expedition biosafety standards

Geneva, Switzerland · 2026-05-19

WHO and IMO establish a joint taskforce to convert interim Antarctic expedition biosafety recommendations into enforceable maritime standards before the next season.

WHO publishes full interim expedition vessel biosafety recommendations — 28-page document

Geneva, Switzerland · 2026-05-18

WHO releases the complete 28-page interim biosafety document for Antarctic and sub-Antarctic expedition vessels: onboard PCR, isolation cabin, pre-embarkation screening, and cargo handling standards. Recommendations flagged for IMO treaty integration.

France confirms second person-to-person Hondius transmission — genomic sequencing conclusive

Paris, France · 2026-05-17

A second household contact of a French Hondius patient tests positive; genomic sequencing confirms identical sequences to the index case. France now has two confirmed P2P events — more than any other affected country.

Italy confirms first MV Hondius case — 15th globally, 10th country affected

Rome, Italy · 2026-05-16

Italy's ISS confirms the first Italian Hondius case — a passenger hospitalised at Rome's Spallanzani Institute in stable condition. The 15th confirmed case globally; Italy becomes the 10th country affected.

WHO emergency expert panel on expedition vessel biosafety opens in Geneva

Geneva, Switzerland · 2026-05-16

WHO convenes a two-day emergency expert panel with virologists, expedition medicine specialists, IMO representatives, and national health officials to develop binding biosafety recommendations for Antarctic expedition vessels.

Germany confirms 14th Hondius case — last remaining contact tests positive

Munich, Germany · 2026-05-15

Robert Koch Institute confirms the final MV Hondius contact under observation has tested positive — Germany's third Andes case and the 14th confirmed case globally. Patient in Munich hospital in stable condition.

WHO extends household contact monitoring to 60 days

Geneva, Switzerland · 2026-05-15

WHO updates guidance to extend recommended monitoring for household contacts of Hondius cases to 60 days, following the confirmed Lyon P2P event and the possibility of late-onset secondary infection near the 42-day incubation boundary.

Nature Medicine: Andes virus R₀ ≈ 0.5 — below epidemic threshold

Geneva, Switzerland · 2026-05-15

Nature Medicine rapid correspondence estimates Andes virus household R₀ ≈ 0.5 based on Hondius cluster and historical data — below the epidemic threshold, indicating P2P chains cannot sustain without continued environmental exposure.

CONFIRMED: France reports first proven P2P Andes virus transmission — Lyon household

Lyon, France · 2026-05-14

Santé publique France confirms person-to-person Andes virus transmission in a Lyon couple. Genomic analysis shows the second patient's virus is a direct descendant of the index case's strain — first confirmed P2P event in the Hondius outbreak.

Belgium confirms 12th Hondius case — first Belgian hantavirus patient

Leuven, Belgium · 2026-05-14

Sciensano confirms a returning MV Hondius passenger is positive for Andes virus — Belgium's first confirmed hantavirus case. Patient hospitalised at UZ Leuven in stable condition.

Switzerland confirms 13th Hondius case — Switzerland's first hantavirus case on record

Zurich, Switzerland · 2026-05-14

Swiss FOPH confirms a returning MV Hondius passenger has tested positive for Andes virus — 13th case globally and Switzerland's first hantavirus case on record. Patient in Zurich hospital in serious condition.

Germany confirms 11th Hondius case — contact under observation tests positive

Munich, Germany · 2026-05-13

Robert Koch Institute confirms one of three symptomatic MV Hondius contacts has tested positive for Andes virus, the 11th confirmed case globally. Patient hospitalised in Munich in stable condition.

WHO publishes interim biosafety guidance for Antarctic expedition vessels

Geneva, Switzerland · 2026-05-13

WHO interim technical guidance issued covering rodent surveillance, ventilation standards, and passenger health monitoring for expedition cruise vessels operating in Andes virus-endemic regions.

Spain investigation: rodent excreta found in 3 below-deck areas of MV Hondius

Tenerife, Spain · 2026-05-13

Spain's Ministry of Health releases Hondius rodent investigation report: O. longicaudatus excreta confirmed in three below-deck storage areas. All samples RT-PCR positive for Andes virus. Decontamination estimated complete by May 20.

New Zealand confirms first-ever hantavirus case — 10th Hondius case globally

Auckland, New Zealand · 2026-05-12

New Zealand's Ministry of Health confirms a returning MV Hondius passenger is positive for Andes virus — the country's first-ever confirmed hantavirus case. Patient in ICU at Auckland City Hospital.

Netherlands confirms second Hondius case — 9th globally

Amsterdam, Netherlands · 2026-05-12

Dutch RIVM confirms a second MV Hondius passenger has tested positive for Andes virus at Amsterdam UMC. Both Dutch patients are in stable condition in isolation.

WHO full genome sequencing: no definitive person-to-person evidence

Geneva, Switzerland · 2026-05-12

WHO releases final genomic analysis of Hondius Andes virus samples. Sequences highly similar; investigators cannot rule out single environmental source. P2P transmission 'possible but unproven'.

Canada confirms 8th Hondius case — passenger in British Columbia

Vancouver, Canada · 2026-05-11

Health Canada confirms a returning MV Hondius passenger has tested positive for Andes virus, making Canada the latest country affected by the cruise ship outbreak.

WHO preliminary P2P findings: 'limited' evidence of person-to-person Andes virus spread

Geneva, Switzerland · 2026-05-11

WHO expert panel releases preliminary findings on MV Hondius cluster: limited but not conclusive evidence of person-to-person Andes virus transmission. Full genomic results in 72 hours.

ECDC upgrades MV Hondius risk to 'moderate' — 8th case prompts reassessment

Stockholm, Sweden · 2026-05-11

ECDC raises EU/EEA risk level from low-moderate to moderate, extending monitoring recommendations and urging member states to strengthen surveillance for returning travellers.

WHO emergency expert meeting on Andes virus person-to-person transmission

Geneva, Switzerland · 2026-05-10

WHO convened emergency technical consultation to assess P2P transmission evidence from MV Hondius cluster. Results expected within days.

7th case confirmed — crew member in Argentina

Buenos Aires, Argentina · 2026-05-10

Argentine health ministry confirms a seventh Andes virus case: a crew member who disembarked before the outbreak was declared. Patient in stable condition.

ECDC rapid risk assessment: MV Hondius hantavirus cluster

Stockholm, Sweden · 2026-05-10

ECDC rates EU public risk as 'low' overall but 'moderate' for direct contacts of confirmed cases. Recommends enhanced surveillance in affected member states.

MV Hondius decontamination — all passengers disembarked

Tenerife, Spain · 2026-05-10

All passengers and non-essential crew have left the vessel. MV Hondius remains in port under mandatory deep-clean quarantine supervised by Spanish health authorities.

UK Hondius passengers clear monitoring — Scotland reports no further cases

United Kingdom · 2026-05-10

Scottish health officials confirm all repatriated British nationals have completed monitoring; no additional cases detected. NHS England continues surveillance on remaining contacts.

Germany RKI upgrades hantavirus monitoring level

Berlin, Germany · 2026-05-10

Robert Koch Institute confirms contact tracing for 8 German nationals who were aboard MV Hondius and upgrades monitoring to enhanced surveillance level.

Hantavirus outbreak linked to cruise ship raises questions about strain in New Mexico

USA · 2026-05-08

Reported by KOAT. Health officials investigate possible Andes virus exposure in New Mexico linked to MV Hondius passengers.

Patients land in Amsterdam

Amsterdam, Netherlands · 2026-05-07

Confirmed Andes virus cases evacuated for hospital treatment in Amsterdam.

Britons self-isolating

United Kingdom · 2026-05-07

Two UK passengers self-isolating after leaving the vessel and returning home.

Hantavirus Andes strain monitored in Georgia after cruise ship outbreak

Georgia, USA · 2026-05-07

Reported by WTOC. Georgia health officials monitoring residents who were aboard MV Hondius.

Two Texas residents were on cruise ship with hantavirus outbreak, CDC tells state

Texas, USA · 2026-05-07

Reported by Houston Public Media. CDC notified Texas health authorities of two residents aboard MV Hondius.

California among 3 states monitoring hantavirus after cruise ship outbreak

California, USA · 2026-05-07

Reported by KSBW. California joins Georgia and Texas in monitoring returned passengers.

Report: Arizona resident was aboard ship struck by hantavirus outbreak

Arizona, USA · 2026-05-07

Reported by 12News. An Arizona resident confirmed to have been aboard MV Hondius during the outbreak.

2 Americans being monitored after being on cruise with hantavirus outbreak

USA · 2026-05-07

Reported by CBS News. Two American citizens under public health monitoring following disembarkation.

Argentina races to find origins of cruise ship hantavirus outbreak

Argentina · 2026-05-07

Reported by The Guardian. Argentine health ministry investigating how Andes virus entered the ship. Some passengers have returned to the US.

MV Hondius — full disembarkation complete, vessel in decontamination

Tenerife, Spain · 2026-05-10

All passengers have disembarked at Tenerife as of May 10. 7 confirmed cases, 3 deaths. WHO emergency meeting on P2P transmission. 16+ countries tracing contacts. Vessel under mandatory decontamination.

Georgia residents monitored

Georgia, USA · 2026-05-06

Two Georgia residents under public health monitoring after disembarking from MV Hondius.

Swiss case raises total to eight

Switzerland · 2026-05-06

Swiss federal health authority confirms one returning passenger positive for Andes virus, raising the confirmed case total to eight.

Argentina investigates link to deadly hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship

Argentina · 2026-05-06

Reported by Al Jazeera. International attention grows as Andes virus deaths linked to MV Hondius voyage are confirmed.