Hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship MV Hondius reaches Rotterdam; 3 dead, 10 confirmed/probable cases, vessel quarantined and disinfected

The MV Hondius, a Dutch-flagged luxury cruise ship operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, arrived in Rotterdam after a hantavirus outbreak onboard. The cluster was first reported to the WHO on May 2, resulting in 3 deaths and 10 confirmed or probable cases among approximately 150 passengers and crew from 23 countries. The outbreak involves the Andes virus strain, endemic to Argentina and Chile. Authorities disembarked the remaining 25 crew members and 2 medical staff in controlled conditions at Rotterdam's Landtong peninsula, with all exposed individuals quarantined. The ship underwent specialized disinfection of all surfaces and ventilation systems. Dutch health officials emphasized low public health risk, noting that hantavirus spreads primarily through rodent contact and rarely between humans after prolonged close exposure. No disembarked individuals showed symptoms.