Two Americans returning from hantavirus-stricken ship in biocontainment units; one tests positive, another has mild symptoms

The United States government is repatriating 17 American citizens from the MV Hondius cruise ship after a deadly outbreak of the Andes variant of hantavirus infected passengers during an expedition voyage across the South Atlantic Ocean. In a statement posted on X, the Department of Health and Human Services said one passenger is currently experiencing mild symptoms, while another tested “mildly PCR positive” for the Andes virus.

The agency added that all 17 Americans are currently en route aboard a State Department airlift flight. Two passengers are traveling inside the aircraft’s biocontainment units “out of an abundance of caution.”

DDS said it is also working through ASPR and CDC to support the US Department of State in transporting the Americans back to the United States.



The passengers are expected to first arrive at the Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Nebraska Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska. Officials said the symptomatic passenger will later be transported to a second specialized treatment center.

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“Upon arrival at each facility, each individual will undergo clinical assessment and receive appropriate care and support based on their condition,” HHS said. The repatriation comes days after the World Health Organization confirmed an outbreak of Andes hantavirus linked to the cruise ship.

WHO was first notified on May 2, 2026, about a cluster of severe acute respiratory illnesses among passengers and crew traveling aboard the vessel in the Atlantic Ocean. The outbreak included two deaths and one critically ill passenger whose tests confirmed hantavirus infection.

On May 6, WHO confirmed that the virus involved in the outbreak was the Andes variant of hantavirus.

As of May 8, the WHO reported eight total cases, including six confirmed and two suspected infections, along with three deaths.

The MV Hondius departed from Ushuaia on April 1 and traveled through remote parts of the South Atlantic Ocean, including Antarctica, South Georgia Island, Tristan da Cunha, Saint Helena, and Ascension Island.

The expedition carried 147 people, including 86 passengers and 61 crew members from 23 countries. Health authorities said the extent of passengers’ contact with wildlife during the expedition remains unclear as investigations continue.