The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) stated today (May 7) that the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a Disease Outbreak News report on May 4, 2026, regarding an Andes hantavirus cluster on the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius during its South Atlantic voyage. As of May 5, the WHO has identified eight cruise-related cases, including three deaths. Among the eight cases, three have been laboratory-confirmed as hantavirus infections, with two confirmed via genomic sequencing as Andes virus. Further sequencing is currently underway. WHO’s preliminary assessment suggests the most likely scenario is that a passenger contracted hantavirus through environmental exposure while traveling in Argentina or elsewhere in South America’s Southern Cone, then boarded the ship during the incubation period. The virus was subsequently transmitted through prolonged close contact, resulting in two confirmed cases and at least one suspected case. Based on current epidemiological and laboratory data, the WHO assesses the overall risk of this event as "moderate" for the cruise ship involved and "low" at the global level. Given that the outbreak remains confined to a single cruise ship and a limited number of exported cases, and that the reservoir host of the Andes virus—the long-tailed pygmy rice rat—is not present in Taiwan, the direct risk of importation to Taiwan is assessed as low. There is currently no immediate need to raise the Travel Health Notice level. Nevertheless, Taiwan CDC has established a dedicated task force to closely monitor developments related to the incident and adjust response measures in accordance with WHO and international guidance.

Taiwan CDC explained that MV Hondius departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1, 2026, on a voyage across the South Atlantic that included stops in several remote and biodiverse destinations, including Antarctica, South Georgia, Nightingale Island, Tristan da Cunha, Saint Helena, and Ascension Island. The ship carried 147 people (86 passengers and 61 crew members) from 23 different countries, and remained moored off the coast of Cabo Verde as of May 4. Trace-back investigations revealed that 26 passengers disembarked at Saint Helena, 13 of whom were classified as high-risk contacts. One of these individuals returned to their home country via a commercial flight from Saint Helena. Additionally, Switzerland reported a cruise passenger on May 5 who tested positive for Andes virus via PCR and is currently undergoing isolated treatment in Switzerland.

Taiwan CDC emphasized that all domestically acquired and imported hantavirus cases reported in Taiwan to date have involved the Seoul virus, which is associated with lower severity and fatality rates. The Andes virus linked to this cruise ship cluster has never been detected in Taiwan. Taiwan has recorded only two imported hantavirus cases—one from China in 2007 and the other from Indonesia in 2019—with no cases ever imported from South America. Taiwan CDC will continue to closely monitor the developments related to the incident and step up public health messaging for travelers to South America, advising them to avoid contact with rodents to minimize the risk of infection. The public is urged to remain calm.