By Gia Jarmin
In early May of 2026, a Cruise ship had an outbreak of a virus with the name Hantavirus. There were about 7 confirmed cases of hantavirus and five suspected cases including three deaths. On 2 May 2026, the MV Hondius ship carrying 147 passengers departed from Ushuaia, Argentina on 1 April 2026.
The virus was likely contracted from infected rodents in Ushuaia and then spread to multiple passengers on the cruise. Dr. David Fitter says “Our approach is based on risk and evidence. We are working closely with passengers and public health partners to ensure monitoring and rapid access to care if symptoms develop.”
What is Hantavirus? Hatavirus is a family of viruses spread by wild rodents that can cause deathly illnesses to humans. Humans contract Hantavirus by breathing in particles from rodent urine, saliva, or feces.
It takes 1 to 8 weeks to get the starting symptoms of Hantavirus. The early symptoms include fevers, deep muscle aches, fatigue, headaches and dizziness, and gastrointestinal issues. The later symptoms are shortness of breath, coughing, tightness in the chest, and a rapid heart rate and low blood pressure. Many people mistake Hantavirus with the flu as they have the same symptoms, except hantavirus is much more dangerous than the flu with a 35%-50% death rate.
Approximately 18 passengers from the MV Hondius cruise ship are back in the United States and are being monitored by medical units. Sixteen are in Nebraska and one of them tested positive with the virus.
As of mid May 2026, the Hantavirus is currently still being investigated and how to stop it from spreading across the world and scientists are already working on multiple vaccines for Hantaviruses.
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