Trump Briefed on Rare Hantavirus Cruise Outbreak as US Monitors Multiple States

President Donald Trump was briefed Thursday, May 7, 2026, on a rare and deadly Hantavirus outbreak linked to an international expedition cruise ship. The briefing comes as U.S. health officials begin monitoring several individuals across at least five states who may have been exposed during the voyage.

The outbreak occurred aboard the MV Hondius, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, which departed from Argentina in early April. As of this morning, at least three passengers have died and others remain in critical condition.

The "Andes" Strain: A Rare Transmission Risk

While Hantavirus is typically spread from rodents to humans through contact with droppings or urine, laboratory sequencing conducted in South Africa has confirmed this outbreak involves the Andes strain. This specific South American variant is the only known strain of Hantavirus capable of human-to-human transmission, though experts stress this usually requires extreme close contact.

"This is an outbreak on a ship, not another COVID-19," said Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO’s director of epidemic and pandemic preparedness. The World Health Organization currently assesses the global risk to be low.

Current Status of the Ship and Passengers

The MV Hondius is carrying 146 people from 23 different countries, including 17 Americans. The ship is currently in the Atlantic and is scheduled to dock in Spain’s Canary Islands this weekend. Upon arrival, passengers will undergo a full medical investigation before being flown back to their respective home countries for continued monitoring.

Health Today: What to Watch For

Brought to you by the Inland Empire Health Plan, health officials are reminding the public that Hantavirus symptoms can take up to six weeks to appear. Key signs of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) include:

• Early Stages: Fever, severe muscle aches (especially in the thighs and back), and fatigue.

• Progressive Symptoms: Shortness of breath and coughing as the lungs fill with fluid.

There is currently no specific cure or vaccine for Hantavirus, but early medical intervention significantly increases the chance of survival. U.S. officials emphasize that the virus is not spread by people who do not have symptoms, and there is no evidence of a widespread threat to the American public.

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