🇺🇸 CDC LEVEL 3 RESPONSE HANTAVIRUS OUTBREAK — MV HONDIUS · May 2026 12 cases confirmed · 3 deaths · 18 Americans repatriated · No Americans positive · Public risk: EXTREMELY LOW Updated May 22, 2026
🚨 Active Outbreak CDC Level 3 Public risk: Low

Hantavirus 2026
What Americans
Need To Know

CDC-sourced facts on the Andes hantavirus outbreak linked to cruise ship MV Hondius. 18 American passengers repatriated. Symptoms, prevention, and daily updates.

🇺🇸 Were you on MV Hondius? ⚕️ Check Symptoms
11
Total Cases
3
Deaths
18
Americans Repatriated
OUTBREAK STATUS Updated May 22, 2026
Confirmed cases12 confirmed
Deaths3
Case fatality rate25% (3/12)
Countries affected23 countries
Americans positive0 confirmed ✓
Americans monitored16 in Nebraska
Virus strainAndes Virus
CDC response levelLevel 3
Quarantine facilityUniv. Nebraska (UNMC)
WHO global riskLOW
Incubation periodUp to 42 days
MV Hondius statusEn route Rotterdam
Sources: CDC HAN-00529, WHO, NBC News, ABC News — May 22, 2026
🇺🇸 American Passengers
What Happened to the 18 Americans?

All 18 American passengers from MV Hondius have been safely repatriated to the United States via a CDC-organized government charter flight.

🇺🇸
U.S. Passenger Update — May 22, 2026
Source: CDC, NBC News, University of Nebraska Medical Center
18
Total Americans on MV Hondius
0
Americans with confirmed positive results
All clear ✓
16
In quarantine at UNMC Nebraska
42-day monitoring
🏥
University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) — National Quarantine Center
16 American passengers are being monitored at UNMC's National Quarantine Center at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska. Dr. Stephen Kornfeld (Bend, Oregon) — the only American who initially tested positive — has since tested negative and was cleared from the Biocontainment Unit to the quarantine unit. All 16 are recommended to stay for the full 42-day incubation period. At least 2 other Americans are quarantining at home under state health department supervision. The CDC emphasizes there are no current federal quarantine orders — quarantine is voluntary.
⚠️ Were You On MV Hondius?

If you were a passenger or crew member on the MV Hondius expedition cruise that departed Ushuaia, Argentina on April 1, 2026, follow these steps immediately:

📞 Step 1 — Contact
Contact your local or state health department immediately. The CDC is coordinating with all state health departments. Also contact: CDC Emergency Operations: 770-488-7100
🏠 Step 2 — Monitor
Monitor yourself for fever, fatigue, or muscle aches for 42 days after last exposure. The incubation period is up to 42 days. Avoid travel and close contact with others as recommended.
🚨 Step 3 — Symptoms
If you develop fever over 101°F, muscle aches, or shortness of breath — call 911 or seek emergency care immediately. Tell emergency responders you were on MV Hondius.
📋 Step 4 — CDC Guidance
Read CDC's official interim guidance: cdc.gov/hantavirus. CDC has issued specific guidance for people potentially exposed to Andes virus during this outbreak.
Medical
Hantavirus Symptoms

Symptoms of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) caused by the Andes virus appear in two phases. Source: CDC, WHO — May 2026.

⏱ Early Phase — Days 1 to 5
  • Fatigue and extreme tiredness
  • Fever — typically over 101°F (38.3°C)
  • Severe muscle aches (thighs, hips, back)
  • Headaches, chills, dizziness
  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain
  • General feeling of being unwell
🚨 Late Phase — Days 4 to 10
  • Shortness of breath (can worsen rapidly)
  • Coughing — lungs fill with fluid
  • Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
  • Low blood pressure, shock
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Requires ventilator support in severe cases
42
Days maximum incubation period
The Andes virus can take up to 42 days after exposure to produce symptoms. Most cases appear within 9 to 33 days. All 18 Americans from MV Hondius are monitored for the full 42-day period. Source: CDC Interim Guidance for Andes Virus Exposure.
🚑
Call 911 immediately if you develop shortness of breath HPS can progress from mild flu-like symptoms to severe respiratory failure within hours. The Andes virus case fatality rate is 20 to 40%. Early medical care is critical — do not wait. Tell emergency responders about any potential exposure to hantavirus.
⚠️ Important: There is currently no FDA-approved vaccine or specific treatment for hantavirus. Treatment is supportive — supplemental oxygen, mechanical ventilation. The earlier medical care begins, the better the outcome.
Protection
How To Protect Yourself

CDC-recommended prevention measures for Andes virus and hantavirus in general. No vaccine exists — prevention is your only protection.

😷
Wear Respiratory Protection
Use an N95 respirator (or better) when cleaning areas with possible rodent activity, or when near someone with known Andes virus infection. Standard surgical masks are insufficient for hantavirus particles.
// CDC Recommendation
🧤
Wear Nitrile Gloves
Wear nitrile or rubber gloves when handling potentially contaminated materials. Double-glove for high-risk tasks. Avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth with gloved hands.
// CDC Recommendation
🏠
Rodent-Proof Your Home
Seal holes larger than ¼ inch in your home. Store food in sealed containers. Clear debris and wood piles away from your house. Trapping is more effective than poison for rodent control near homes.
// CDC Recommendation
🫧
Disinfect Properly
Spray rodent droppings, nests, or potentially contaminated areas with disinfectant before cleaning. Never sweep or vacuum dry droppings — this aerosolizes virus particles. Use Lysol or bleach solution (1½ cups per gallon of water).
// CDC Recommendation
🌬️
Ventilate Before Entering
Before entering a cabin, shed, or enclosed space that has been closed — open doors and windows and let the space air out for at least 30 minutes. Leave the area while ventilating.
// CDC Recommendation
✈️
Travel Precautions
Avoid wildlife and rodent contact in South America, particularly in the Andes mountain region. For cruise travel to remote areas: bring personal protective gear including N95 masks, gloves, and disinfectant wipes.
// CDC Travel Advisory
United States
Hantavirus in the United States

Beyond the MV Hondius outbreak, hantavirus is already present in the US. The Sin Nombre virus kills 30-40 Americans every year — here's what you need to know.

🗺️ Highest Risk States for Sin Nombre Hantavirus
Source: CDC Reported US Cases — most cases reported in western states
New Mexico Colorado California Arizona Utah Montana Washington Idaho Nevada Wyoming
850+
US cases since 1993
36%
Case fatality rate (Sin Nombre)
0
Person-to-person spread (Sin Nombre)
Key difference: The Sin Nombre virus (most common US strain) does NOT spread person-to-person — only from infected rodents (deer mice). The Andes virus (MV Hondius outbreak) is the only known hantavirus that can spread human-to-human through close, sustained contact.
⚠️ High-Risk Activities for Sin Nombre Hantavirus
  • Cleaning cabins, barns, or sheds that have been closed for a long time
  • Working in fields or construction sites with rodent activity
  • Camping or hiking in areas with high deer mouse populations
  • Handling rodent traps, droppings, or nests without protection
  • Disturbing areas with accumulated rodent droppings (dry sweeping especially dangerous)
Protection Gear
Recommended Protection Products

CDC-recommended protective gear for hantavirus prevention. Available on Amazon with fast Prime delivery.

😷
CDC Recommended
3M N95 Respirator Masks
N95 filtering facepiece respirator. CDC-recommended for hantavirus prevention. NIOSH-approved. Pack of 20. — $38.99
View on Amazon →
🧤
Medical Grade
Nitrile Gloves — Medical Grade
Powder-free nitrile gloves. Latex-free, chemical resistant. Pack of 100. — $9.99
View on Amazon →
🫧
Virucide Certified
Lysol Disinfectant Spray
CDC-recommended for disinfecting areas with potential rodent contamination. Kills 99.9% of viruses and bacteria. — $4.99
View on Amazon →
🧼
Pack of 75
Lysol Disinfectant Wipes
Virucide-certified surface disinfection wipes. Quick-acting formula, no rinse required. 75 wet wipes. — $4.99
View on Amazon →

🛒 As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Products are selected for their relevance to CDC prevention guidelines. Prices and availability may vary.

FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the most common questions about hantavirus, sourced from CDC and WHO guidance.

Are Americans at risk from the current hantavirus outbreak?+
The CDC states the risk to the American public is extremely low. All 18 American passengers from MV Hondius have been repatriated. As of May 22, 2026, no Americans have conclusive positive test results. The outbreak is confined to passengers and crew of the MV Hondius with 12 confirmed cases worldwide. Source: CDC HAN-00529, NBC News.
Can hantavirus spread person to person?+
The Andes virus (responsible for the MV Hondius outbreak) is the only known hantavirus that can spread from person to person through close, sustained contact. The WHO notes it may be airborne. However, the Sin Nombre virus (the common US strain) does NOT spread person to person — only from infected rodents. Source: CDC, WHO.
Is there a vaccine or treatment for hantavirus?+
There is currently no FDA-approved vaccine for any hantavirus strain, including Andes virus. Scientists are actively working on it. Treatment is supportive care — supplemental oxygen, mechanical ventilation in severe cases. Early hospitalization significantly improves outcomes. Source: CDC, ABC News.
Where is hantavirus found in the United States?+
The Sin Nombre hantavirus is found primarily in western US states. The highest risk states are New Mexico, Colorado, California, and Arizona. The virus is carried by deer mice. Since 1993, there have been over 850 US cases with a case fatality rate of approximately 36%. Source: CDC.
What is the incubation period for Andes hantavirus?+
The incubation period for Andes virus is up to 42 days after exposure. Most cases develop symptoms within 9 to 33 days. This is why all 16 American passengers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center are recommended to stay for the full 42-day monitoring period. Source: CDC Interim Guidance.
Can my pets spread hantavirus?+
Dogs and cats are highly unlikely to infect humans with hantavirus, even if they become infected. Pet rodents (hamsters, mice) also pose minimal risk. The main transmission route is through the urine, droppings, or saliva of wild infected rodents, particularly deer mice in the US. Source: CDC, ABC News.
What was MV Hondius and where did it sail?+
MV Hondius is a Dutch expedition cruise ship that departed Ushuaia, Argentina on April 1, 2026, with 147 people (86 passengers and 61 crew) from 23 countries. It traveled across the South Atlantic, visiting Antarctica, South Georgia Island, Tristan da Cunha, Saint Helena, and Ascension Island. The first hantavirus case was identified in early April. The ship docked at Tenerife, Canary Islands on May 10 for passenger evacuation.
Live Updates
Latest News & Updates

Daily updates on the hantavirus situation, sourced from CDC, WHO, NBC News, and ABC News.

MAY 22, 2026 · WHO / FRANCE INFO
12th confirmed case: crew member from MV Hondius hospitalized in Netherlands
WHO announced a 12th confirmed Andes virus case — a crew member from MV Hondius who disembarked at Tenerife on May 11, was repatriated to the Netherlands, and has been admitted to hospital in isolation as a precaution. Case fatality rate now stands at 25% (3 deaths out of 12 confirmed cases). All 18 American passengers remain PCR-negative with no confirmed US cases.
MAY 15, 2026 · ABC NEWS / CDC
All Americans from MV Hondius test negative — 0 confirmed US cases
Dr. Stephen Kornfeld of Bend, Oregon — the only American who initially tested positive — has since tested negative and was cleared to move from the Biocontainment Unit to the quarantine unit. "I physically feel great," Kornfeld told ABC News. "It's nice to be negative for hantavirus." No Americans have conclusive positive results. 41 people across the US are currently under monitoring.
MAY 14, 2026 · CDC / UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA
16 Americans in quarantine at Nebraska — CDC recommends full 42-day stay
The CDC is encouraging all 16 passengers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center to complete the full 42-day monitoring period. CDC incident manager Dr. David Fitter confirmed there are no federal or state quarantine orders — participation is voluntary. Interviews to determine exposure levels are ongoing.
MAY 13, 2026 · WHO
WHO: "This is not another COVID" — global risk remains LOW
WHO Director-General Tedros confirmed there is no sign of a larger outbreak. Maria Van Kerkhove stated WHO is not considering declaring an international health emergency. No evidence the virus has mutated to become more transmissible. Total cases at the time: 11 confirmed, 3 deaths. Updated total as of May 22: 12 confirmed cases, 3 deaths (25% CFR).