The Shot #2: Hantavirus on the High Seas: What You Need to Know About the MV Hondius Outbreak

A deadly hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius — a Dutch-flagged polar expedition cruise ship — has captured global attention. In this episode of The Shot, Tara breaks down everything you need to know: what Andes virus is, why it's the only hantavirus known to spread person to person, what the illness does to the body, and what your actual risk is. As of May 6, 2026, eight cases have been reported (three confirmed, five suspected), three passengers have died, and cases have now been identified on two continents. Here's the science, the context, and the calm. In This Episode What happened aboard the MV Hondius and where the outbreak stands today What hantavirus is — and why the Andes strain is uniquely dangerous The two phases of Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome (HCPS) and why early recognition matters Why there is no approved treatment — and what supportive care actually looks like What travelers to South America need to know What clinicians should keep on their differential for returning travelers Sources World Health Organization. Disease Outbreak News: Hantavirus cluster linked to cruise ship travel, multi-country. May 4, 2026. https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2026-DON599 NBC News. Hantavirus-hit cruise ship heads to Canary Islands; Swiss case confirmed. May 6, 2026. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/hantavirus-cruise-ship-evacuation-new-case-andes-strain-canary-islands-rcna343816 CBS News. How hantavirus may have spread aboard a cruise ship, according to health experts. May 6, 2026. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hantavirus-spread-cruise-ship-outbreak-health-experts/ Martínez VP, Di Paola N, Alonso DO, et al. "Super-Spreaders" and Person-to-Person Transmission of Andes Virus in Argentina. New England Journal of Medicine. 2020;383(23):2230–2241. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2009040 Vial PA, Ferrés M, Vial C, et al. Hantavirus in Humans: A Review of Clinical Aspects and Management. Lancet Infectious Diseases. 2023;23(9):e371–e382. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(23)00128-7 Ferrés M, Martínez-Valdebenito C, Henriquez C, et al. Viral Shedding and Viraemia of Andes Virus During Acute Hantavirus Infection: A Prospective Study. Lancet Infectious Diseases. 2024;24(7):775–782. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(24)00142-7 Ulloa-Morrison R, Pavez N, Parra E, et al. Critical Care Management of Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome: A Narrative Review. Journal of Critical Care. 2024;84:154867. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrc.2024.154867 Pizarro E, Navarrete M, Mendez C, et al. Immunocytochemical and Ultrastructural Evidence Supporting That Andes Hantavirus Is Transmitted Person-to-Person Through the Respiratory and/or Salivary Pathways. Frontiers in Microbiology. 2019;10:2992. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2019.02992 Episodes every Monday ⭐️ Subscribe, Rate and Review! 🍸 Recipes drop on socials Discounts: 15% off Comfrt apparel Purple Carrot: 40% off your first box ClassPass: 2 weeks free 15% off non-alcoholic spirits at The Zero Proof 💳 Support us on Patreon | ☕️ Buy Me a Coffee Contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.