Argentina races to find origins of cruise ship hantavirus outbreak, amid reports some passengers have returned to US
Summary
Argentina is investigating if it is the source of a deadly hantavirus outbreak linked to an Atlantic cruise ship. Several passengers have tested positive, with some deaths reported, and others have traveled back to their home countries, including the United States.Key Facts
- The cruise ship MV Hondius left from Ushuaia, Argentina, and is linked to the Andes strain of hantavirus.
- Argentina reported 101 hantavirus cases since June 2025, double the number from the previous year.
- Three passengers on the cruise ship have died, one is seriously ill, and others have been evacuated or tested positive abroad.
- Argentina sent virus samples and testing help to Spain, Senegal, South Africa, the Netherlands, and the UK.
- Hantavirus usually spreads from rodents, and human-to-human transmission is rare but possible with the Andes virus.
- About 23 passengers left the ship at Saint Helena; some have returned to countries like the U.S. and are under health monitoring.
- The virus can incubate for 1 to 8 weeks, making it unclear where passengers got infected—before or during the cruise.
- The WHO is working with the ship and affected countries to monitor the situation and provide medical support.
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