A hantavirus outbreak on the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius has resulted in several confirmed cases and deaths, prompting a global response. The World Health Organization (WHO) has assessed the risk to the wider public as "low," but health authorities, including those in Canada, are remaining vigilant.
The outbreak was identified on the ship, which departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1, 2026, and traveled across the South Atlantic. As of May 7, 2026, there are five confirmed cases of hantavirus, with eight suspected cases and three deaths. The specific strain has been identified as the Andes virus, the only hantavirus known to spread from human to human, though this is rare. The ship is now en route to Tenerife, Canary Islands, after being held off the coast of Cape Verde.
While the risk to Canadians is considered low, hantaviruses are present in Canada, primarily carried by deer mice. Transmission typically occurs through inhalation of virus particles from infected rodent droppings, urine, or saliva. Most Canadian cases of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) are reported in the southern rural parts of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia. As of January 1, 2020, there have been 143 confirmed cases of HPS in Canada.
Canadians travelling abroad, especially to South America, are advised to take precautions to avoid contact with rodents and their droppings. Health experts recommend airing out enclosed spaces, wearing masks and gloves when cleaning rodent waste, and using a bleach solution. Although hantavirus infections remain rare in Canada, awareness and prevention are key to mitigating risk.
