Three cruise ship passengers died after contracting hantavirus linked to the MV Hondius, which departed from the Argentine city of Ushuaia on April 1 [1]. A Dutch man who traveled through South America developed symptoms five days after the ship’s departure, and he, his wife, and another passenger succumbed to the virus in early May 2026 [1].
Authorities in Ushuaia said the Dutch couple spent 48 hours in the city before boarding the cruise. They described the chance of the couple contracting hantavirus at that time as "almost zero" [1].
Ushuaia, known as the gateway to Antarctica, sits amid snow-capped mountains on the South Atlantic Ocean. At the time of the outbreak, its local tourist season was winding down as winter approached [1].
The outbreak has raised concerns reminiscent of early Covid-19 fears, though experts emphasize significant differences between hantavirus and coronavirus infections [1].
The timeline shows the MV Hondius leaving Ushuaia on April 1, followed by the Dutch passenger developing symptoms on April 6, and the deaths occurring by early May [1].
Officials continue monitoring the situation as local health authorities investigate further to prevent additional cases linked to the cruise.
