Asymptomatic American Evacuee From MV Hondius Tests Positive for Hantavirus as U.S. Repatriation Begins

An American passenger evacuated from the hantavirus-stricken cruise ship MV Hondius has tested positive for the virus but is not displaying any symptoms, according to health officials in Nebraska. The passenger was among 18 evacuees — 17 U.S. citizens and one British-U.S. dual national — who were airlifted from Tenerife, Canary Islands, and arrived in the United States on Monday, May 11, 2026.

The Details

The asymptomatic passenger was taken to the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center for further testing and monitoring, while 16 other evacuees were placed in the hospital's National Quarantine Unit, according to the Associated Press. Kayla Thomas, a spokesperson for The Nebraska Medical Center, confirmed in a statement reported by Express.co.uk that the passenger "tested positive for the virus but does not have symptoms." Dr. Angela Hewlett, medical director of the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit, stated that "the passenger is doing well and not having symptoms at this time."

However, subsequent reporting from Forbes, citing U.S. officials, indicated the passenger received two PCR molecular tests that yielded one positive and one negative result. WHO spokesperson Sarah Tyler described the lab results as "inconclusive."

Separately, two additional American passengers — a couple — arrived at Emory University in Atlanta, where one of them has mild symptoms and is undergoing testing for hantavirus, according to Forbes.

The outbreak aboard the MV Hondius, a Dutch-flagged vessel operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, has now been linked to three passenger deaths and six people with confirmed or suspected cases who are under quarantine, according to the World Health Organization. A French woman evacuated from the ship tested positive for hantavirus, and her health worsened overnight in a Paris hospital, French Health Minister Stéphanie Rist confirmed, according to the Associated Press.

Context

The MV Hondius departed Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1, 2026. A Dutch passenger died on board on April 11. The World Health Organization announced a suspected hantavirus outbreak in early May while the ship was off Cape Verde. A British man was evacuated to Johannesburg on April 27 after developing symptoms.

Hantavirus typically spreads from rodent droppings and is not easily transmitted between people. There is no known cure or vaccine, though early detection improves survival rates. The Andes variant of hantavirus can spread person-to-person in rare cases, unlike most hantavirus strains, according to PBS NewsHour.

Dr. Brendan Jackson of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that "hantavirus is not spread by people without symptoms, transmission requires close contact, and the risk to the American public is very low," according to The Hill. Dr. Brian Christine, assistant secretary for health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, also said the risk to the American public is "very, very low."

Jay Bhattacharya, director of the National Institutes of Health, told CNN in an interview reported by Forbes: "This is not COVID, Jake, and we don't want to treat it like COVID."

Passengers began disembarking at the port of Granadilla, Tenerife, on May 10, with evacuations continuing through May 11. The WHO aimed to complete full passenger evacuation by 7 p.m. Monday, leaving approximately 32 crew members aboard as the ship returns to the Netherlands. British nationals returning to the United Kingdom face a 45-day self-isolation period and are barred from using public transport, according to Express.co.uk.

What's Next

The asymptomatic American passenger in Omaha will remain in the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit for additional testing following the inconclusive PCR results. The symptomatic couple at Emory University in Atlanta awaits test results. The French woman evacuated to Paris remains hospitalized with a worsening condition, according to French Health Minister Stéphanie Rist. The WHO continues to coordinate the evacuation of remaining passengers from Tenerife, while the MV Hondius is expected to return to the Netherlands with its remaining crew of approximately 32. British authorities are enforcing a 45-day self-isolation period for returning nationals.