Cruise ship hantavirus outbreak reaches 12 cases; Andes strain confirmed with person-to-person transmission

A 12th hantavirus case linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship has been confirmed after a crew member tested positive, bringing the outbreak total to 12 cases and 3 deaths across 30 countries. The ship, which departed from Ushuaia, Argentina on April 1 carrying ~150 people on an Antarctic nature-sightseeing expedition, arrived in Rotterdam for disinfection. The confirmed strain is Andes virus (ANDV), capable of person-to-person transmission. WHO investigation suggests initial exposure occurred during a bird-watching expedition via rodents before embarkation. The incubation period extends to six weeks, prompting monitoring of over 600 contacts globally. Most passengers, including 18 Americans, remain under quarantine in their home countries. No new deaths have been reported since May 2.