On May 4, 2026, a hantavirus outbreak was reported on the MV Hondius, a cruise ship operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, near the Antarctic Peninsula. The ship was carrying 147 people, including 88 passengers and 59 crew members. As of May 7, 2026, health authorities have confirmed 12 cases of hantavirus infection, with 2 fatalities among the crew.
The outbreak is linked to a new strain of hantavirus, which is typically transmitted through rodent droppings or urine. The virus causes Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), a severe respiratory disease with a high mortality rate. The ship has been quarantined at a port in Ushuaia, Argentina, where passengers and crew are undergoing medical evaluation.
International health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), are coordinating with Argentine authorities to contain the outbreak. The ship's operator has suspended all upcoming voyages pending investigation. The source of the infection is believed to be contaminated food or surfaces on board, though investigations are ongoing.
This incident marks the first known hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship in the Antarctic region. Health officials urge travelers to avoid contact with rodents and to seek immediate medical attention if symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, and shortness of breath develop.
