The World Health Organization on Tuesday confirmed that 11 cases of hantavirus have been identified among passengers and crew who were aboard the Dutch expedition ship MV Hondius, with three of those cases resulting in death. Of the 11 reported infections, nine have been confirmed and two are classified as probable, WHO said in an update posted on the social media platform X.
The MV Hondius departed Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1, 2026, for an Antarctic and Atlantic itinerary. The vessel was carrying approximately 150 people from multiple countries when the cases were detected.
WHO noted that, because of the pathogen's incubation period and the dynamics of transmission in shipboard environments, it expects additional cases to emerge. The agency did not provide a projection for how many further cases might be detected, simply stating that additional infections are anticipated given those factors.
Passengers and crew who were on the voyage have been returned to their home countries or transferred to medical facilities where needed. WHO has advised that these individuals be monitored and has recommended a 42-day quarantine period, to be observed either at home or in a designated facility. The recommended quarantine interval begins on the day of departure from the ship.
On the question of broader public risk, WHO assessed the threat to the general public as low and reported no evidence of wider community transmission. The organization emphasized that surveillance of passengers and crew is underway in their respective home countries.
Information available in the WHO update is limited to the case counts, the classification of confirmed and probable cases, the departure date and origin of the vessel, the approximate number of people aboard, and the quarantine recommendation. The agency's expectation of additional cases is explicitly tied to the incubation period of the virus and the particular conditions that can facilitate spread on ships.
Monitoring and next steps
Health authorities in the countries where passengers and crew have disembarked are conducting follow-up surveillance. WHO's public assessment remains that risk to the wider public is low pending further investigation and monitoring.
This account is based on the reporting provided by WHO in its official update.