Cruise Ship Docked in Rotterdam Amid Hantavirus Outbreak

On May 18, 2026, the cruise ship MV Hondius arrived at the port of Rotterdam, Netherlands, following a hantavirus outbreak on board. The outbreak left international health authorities concerned and prompted a need for urgent disinfection. The ship carried 25 crew members and two medical staff, all wearing masks as the vessel docked.

The passengers had previously disembarked, and no one on board was symptomatic. Docking operations included escorts from a tugboat and a Dutch police boat. The port authorities, led by harbor master René de Vries, arranged for immediate quarantine in white containers set up nearby for those unable to be repatriated. These containers feature satellite internet and catering facilities.

The ship is in need, the ship is at sea, crew members are sick, probably affected. So in that case, I think it’s unacceptable to say no, you’re not welcome in the biggest port of Europe, said de Vries, emphasizing Rotterdam’s role in aiding vessels in distress.

The harbor authorities collaborated with the Erasmus Medical Center and city officials to ensure the ship’s thorough disinfection. The outbreak, affecting at least 11 people with nine confirmed cases, began with a Dutch couple believed to have contracted the virus in South America. Unfortunately, three passengers died, as reported during the outbreak’s progression.

Upon docking in the Canary Islands, remaining passengers were transferred to flights under the careful watch of personnel in protective gear, beginning their quarantine in over 20 countries. Affected Canadians, including one tested positive, are under isolation in Canada, with updates shared with the World Health Organization (WHO).

The Dutch health ministry coordinated quarantines for crew and passengers in the Netherlands, with some already in isolation from previous flights. U.S. facilities are monitoring 18 Americans exposed to the virus.

According to the WHO, this outbreak differs significantly from COVID, with the contagion deemed rare. The incubation period of the virus, spanning several weeks, implies possible future cases.

Decontamination of the MV Hondius will adhere to Dutch public health protocols. Protective measures will prevent the cleaning team from requiring quarantine. Public health officials will inspect the ship’s readiness before its next voyage.

The Dutch company owning the ship plans no operational changes and aims to resume with an Arctic cruise from Keflavik, Iceland, on May 29. The Pasteur Institute in France sequenced the Andes virus from a French passenger, revealing no new transmissible or dangerous features.