Are Cruises Still Safe After Deadly Hantavirus Outbreak? What To Know

A recent hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship has drawn renewed attention to the risks of infectious disease transmission at sea.

At least eight cases have been reported so far on the Dutch-flagged MV Hondius, including three deaths, according to a Thursday briefing from the World Health Organization (WHO), with five cases confirmed as hantavirus and three considered suspected.

The vessel, which departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, is currently en route to the Canary Islands, with over 100 passengers and crew still aboard. In a statement on Thursday, the ship's operator Oceanwide Expeditions said the MVHondius is expected to arrive at the port of Grandilla in Tenerife on May 10.

Health officials in the U.S. have stressed the limited broader risk, with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sharing a statement on Thursday from Dr. Jay Bhattacharyam, the acting director of the CDC, saying: "Hantavirus is not spread by people without symptoms… and the risk to the American public is very low." Newsweek has contacted the CDC for comment via email.

In the case of the MV Hondius, the ship operator stated on Thursday that “no symptomatic individuals are present on board.” A spokesperson for WHO told Newsweek that passengers had been asked to remain in their rooms to reduce contact, adding that those on board are being kept informed by the ship's captain.

Health experts say the outbreak underscores how cruise ships, by their very nature, can facilitate the spread of infectious diseases.

Cruise Ship Outbreaks Are Not New

Cruise ships have long been associated with outbreaks of infectious diseases, largely due to their high-density, enclosed environments and rapid passenger turnover.

One of the most common diseases has been norovirus, a highly contagious gastrointestinal illness. High-profile outbreaks have affected multiple cruise lines over the years, including repeated incidents on ships operated by Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean, sometimes sickening hundreds of passengers in a single voyage.

Respiratory illnesses have also been a concern. During the COVID-19 pandemic, cruise ships became early focal points of global attention. The Diamond Princess outbreak in February 2020, for example, saw more than 700 infections among passengers and crew and six deaths while docked in Japan. Influenza outbreaks have likewise been reported on cruise vessels, particularly during peak flu seasons.

Other less frequent but notable outbreaks include Legionnaires' disease, caused by Legionella bacteria in water systems, and measles cases linked to unvaccinated travelers. Gastrointestinal illnesses caused by E. coli and Salmonella have also been recorded, typically tied to food contamination.

What Are the Risks of Infectious Disease Outbreaks on a Cruise Ship?

Infectious diseases expert Dr. Geeta Sood, an associate professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, told Newsweek that close quarters and prolonged exposure make such environments particularly vulnerable. She noted that any situation where people travel together for extended periods-such as planes, trains, or ships-can increase transmission risk, but cruise ships pose an added concern because voyages last days or weeks. If rodents were present onboard, she added, that would further increase exposure risk.

A WHO spokesperson echoed this, explaining that ships are "closed environments" with shared spaces and frequent interaction, conditions that make it easier for diseases to spread. Measures such as hygiene protocols and isolation are therefore critical when illness occurs.

Dr. Suraj Saggar, chief of the infectious disease department at the Holy Name Medical Center in New Jersey, described cruise ships as "densely populated environments" with passengers from diverse regions, meaning that "at any given time, purely by chance, someone onboard may already be ill."

However, Saggar emphasized that hantavirus outbreaks are unusual in this setting, noting that most cruise-related infections involve respiratory illnesses such as COVID‑19 or flu, or gastrointestinal infections like norovirus.

The hantavirus involved in this case adds another layer of complexity. Saggar explained that the virus is not a single pathogen but a family, with different strains found globally. While most are transmitted from rodents to humans, one strain-the Andes virus-has been shown to spread between people under limited circumstances.

"This remains very rare," Saggar told Newsweek, noting that cases are typically associated with rural areas in South America. But he added that the Andes strain can cause severe disease, including Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, which “can resemble pneumonia and carries a relatively high fatality rate.”

Sood similarly noted that most hantavirus infections occur through contact with contaminated rodent particles, but that "one strain…has shown some human-to-human transmission for close contacts."

Investigators have suggested the likely source of this outbreak was a bird-watching excursion in Ushuaia, Argentina, where a Dutch couple may have encountered rodents at a landfill before boarding the ship.

Does the Latest Hantavirus Outbreak Make Other Cruises Less Safe?

Experts say the short answer is no.

Saggar told Newsweek that the incident does not fundamentally change the risks associated with cruise travel, which are already well understood. He advised travelers to continue following standard precautions such as hand hygiene, avoiding travel when sick, and isolating if symptoms develop.

He also cautioned against overestimating the frequency of such events. While outbreaks attract headlines, he said, they are rare relative to the large number of cruises that take place each year.

"The vast majority of cruises occur without major problems," Saggar said, adding that millions of passengers travel safely annually and that serious outbreaks remain the exception.

Infectious diseases and public health expert Dr. Tyler B. Evans, who is the CEO and co-founder of Wellness Equity Alliance, emphasized that hantavirus is not typically associated with cruise ships. Unlike highly contagious viruses such as norovirus, it is primarily transmitted through contact with infected rodent waste.

He noted, however, that the Andes strain-which can spread between people-exists in Argentina and Chile, making the ship's departure point significant.

"That geography matters," Evans told Newsweek, describing it as the most plausible explanation for the outbreak. He added that this context means the situation should not cause alarm for travelers with no connection to the region.

In the case of MV Hondius, dozens of passengers from at least 12 countries, including six people from the United States, disembarked in St. Helena without contact tracing on April 24. One man tested positive for hantavirus in Switzerland after he disembarked in St. Helena. The exact movements of these passengers after they disembarked and whether any more are infected isn’t clear, according to the Associated Press.

Should Passengers Cancel Their Cruise Trips?

Health experts broadly agree that there is no need for travelers to cancel upcoming cruise plans based on this outbreak alone.

Saggar was unequivocal, saying: "Absolutely not." Instead, he framed the event as a reminder of the importance of global coordination in responding to infectious disease threats.

"Infectious diseases do not respect borders," he said, noting that international collaboration is key to identifying and managing outbreaks.

Sood also stressed that the outbreak appears isolated and does not represent a broader risk to the cruise industry. She advised travelers to consider local disease patterns when planning trips and to consult healthcare providers, underscoring the importance of destination-specific awareness rather than generalized concern.

What To Consider Before Booking Your Cruise

While experts say cancellations are unnecessary, they recommend travelers be informed-particularly when considering expedition cruises to remote regions.

Evans outlined five key questions travelers should ask before booking a cruise:

• What can the onboard physician actually treat, and what would require evacuation?
• How long would an evacuation take from each leg of the itinerary?
• Does the ship have onboard diagnostic testing?
• Does my insurance cover an air ambulance from a remote location, in writing?
• Given my own health, is this trip something my doctor would recommend?

Evans warned that expedition cruises, like the one undertaken by MVHondius, differ significantly from large commercial ships.

"The medical reality of being 72 hours from a hospital deserves equal weight in the decision," Evans said.

He added that smaller ships operating in remote areas face significant logistical challenges during emergencies, with evacuations potentially taking days.

"When someone becomes critically ill in the South Atlantic, the response is not a quick diversion… it is a multi-day evacuation that may not be survivable," Evans said, emphasizing the importance of informed decision-making.

Ways To Mitigate Risks and Protect Yourself From Infection

Experts say there are several practical steps travelers can take to reduce their risk.

Sood recommended strong hand hygiene, particularly washing with soap and water, as well as wearing masks in poorly ventilated areas and seeking medical attention promptly if symptoms develop.

A WHO spokesperson said that prevention of hantavirus infection primarily involves limiting contact with rodents, noting that effective measures include:

• Keeping homes and workplaces clean
• Sealing openings that allow rodents to enter buildings
• Storing food securely
• Using safe cleaning practices in areas contaminated by rodents
• Avoiding dry sweeping or vacuuming rodent droppings
• Dampening of contaminated areas before cleaning
• Strengthening hand hygiene

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This story was originally published May 8, 2026 at 9:53 AM.