Hantavirus Cluster Situation Report #3
- Emergency Manager's Weekly Report
- May 12
- 4 min read
World Health Organization Highlights:
· The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that as of May 12th there are a total of 11 cases and three deaths:
o Nine of the 11 cases are confirmed and two are probable.
o All of the cases were passengers and/or crew from the MV Hondius.
o WHO is expected more cases given the dynamics of spread on a ship and the virus’ incubation period.
o Presently, there is no sign that they are seeing that this is the start of a larger outbreak.
· Between May 10-11, 125 passengers from the MV Hondius have disembarked and have been transported to their 23 home countries:
o The ship is continuing to Rotterdam, Netherlands with 30 people on board (crew and health workers).
o The response was largely a success based on international coordination and the support of the Spanish government.
· WHO has recommended that passengers and crew should remain in quarantine for 42 days after they disembarked from the ship.
· WHO continues to work closely with experts from all the countries involved.
· On May 10th, WHOs Director-General reiterated that Hantavirus is not COVID. The risk assessment for global health remains low.
European Union Highlights:
· The EU Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) on May 10th reported that one new confirmed case has been reported in France:
o This patient was a former passenger who developed acute symptoms on the flight returning to France, and who is currently in intensive care.
· The Spanish Ministry of Health reported on May 11th that one of the Spanish passengers isolated at Gómez Ulla Hospital has tested provisionally positive upon arrival:
o The individual remains isolated, asymptomatic, and in good general condition, and under continuous clinical monitoring.
o The other 13 passengers have at this time tested provisionally negative.
· On May 6th, Spain requested Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) assistance for medical evacuation and transportation of EU citizens onboard the ship:
o Six evacuation flights by five members states have been completed
o Over 70 passengers were transported.
o An EU Emergency Response Coordination Center Liaison Officer has been deployed to Tenerife since May 9th.
United Kingdom Highlights:
· British passengers from the MV Hondius arrived in Manchester Airport on May 10th:
o Strict infection control measures were in place throughout the journey, with passengers, crew, drivers and medical teams wearing appropriate personal protective equipment.
o The passengers were then transferred by private bus to an isolation facility at Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral, where they are undergoing clinical assessment and testing
· On May 10th, the UK Ministry of Defense deployed paratroopers and military clinicians via a parachute operation to Tristan da Cunha after a suspected cases were identified on this UK island.
· As of May 11th, a total of 20 British nationals, one UK resident German national and one Japanese passenger are located at the Arrowe Park Hospital:
o Passengers will remain at Arrowe Park while they have clinical and public health assessments and testing for a 45-day period.
o They will be fully supported and will have an assessment by and regular contact with National Health Service clinicians on site.
· Another British national is due to return to Australia.
· A further three British nationals are being treated by medical teams outside the UK:
o One in the Netherlands, one on Tristan da Cunha and a third in South Africa.
United States Highlights:
· The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that on May 11th, 16 passengers were flown to the University of Nebraska Medical Center and are under observation at the UNMC Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Center (ESPTC):
o 15 people are currently under observation in the ESPTC.
o One person previously tested positive for the virus was transported to the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit for monitoring. This individual is currently not showing any symptoms.
o Nebraska Medicine and UNMC are working closely with the Douglas County Health Department, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and Federal health partners.
· Two additional passengers who had mild symptoms were transported to Emory University's Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Center in Atlanta, GA.
· The CDCs Emergency Operations Center has been activated to coordinate with local, State and international partners.
Sources:
· WHO Twitter Page
· CDC Twitter Page
· HHS ASPR Twitter Page
· UNMC Global Center for Health Security Twitter Page
· UK Health Security Agency Twitter Page
· UK Ministry of Defense Twitter Page
· Spain Ministry of Health Twitter Page
· European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control Bluesky Page
· EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Twitter Page
Resources
WHO, Management of contacts of Andes virus (ANDV) cases from the MV Hondius cruise ship (New)
CDC Health Advisory: 2026 Multi-country Hantavirus Cluster Linked to Cruise Ship (New)
ECDC, Questions and answers on the hantavirus outbreak in a cruise ship (New)
PolitiFact, What is hantavirus? What we know about the fatal cruise ship outbreak (New)
CDC, Hantavirus Outbreak Toolkit (New)
UK Health Security Agency, What is hantavirus? How is it transmitted and what are the symptoms? (New)
ECDC, Hantavirus-associated cluster of illness on a cruise ship: ECDC assessment and recommendations
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