A360
Key Takeaways✦ Atlas AI
01
12th hantavirus case confirmed.
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Andes strain allows human transmission.
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600+ contacts monitored globally.
Atlas AI
WHO Confirms 12th Hantavirus Case
The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed on May 22, 2026, that a 12th individual, a Dutch crew member from the MV Hondius cruise ship, has tested positive for hantavirus. This development occurred in Geneva, Switzerland, and Rotterdam, Netherlands, prompting the WHO to urge continued monitoring of passengers globally.
The infected crew member is currently isolated in a Dutch hospital, bringing the total confirmed cases linked to the vessel to 12, with three fatalities reported since the outbreak began.
The detection of this new case underscores the ongoing transmission risk associated with the MV Hondius. The Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) confirmed the Andes virus strain in the quarantined individual, noting that weekly testing is conducted for all evacuees in the Netherlands. The Andes strain is notable for its human-to-human transmission capability, unlike other hantavirus strains typically spread by rodents.
Over 600 contacts across 30 countries are under surveillance, with efforts continuing to locate additional high-risk contacts. The initial outbreak was reported to the WHO on May 2, following the ship's departure from Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1, with subsequent stops in Cape Verde and Tenerife. The WHO is investigating the virus's origin on board, with early indications suggesting exposure to rodents during a bird-watching expedition as a potential source for the initial infection.
