Independent surveillance · Editorially reviewed Data last verified: 12 May 2026 · 18:00 UTC
● MV Hondius cluster · Day 11 since WHO notification · ECDC formal update
Report date: 12 May 2026 Status: Current (latest available) Risk: ECDC VERY LOW

ECDC confirms 9 cases (7 confirmed + 2 probable); EU/EEA risk assessed as very low; Brazil reports unrelated Andes case

A consolidated 24-hour summary covering events reported between 11 May 06:00 UTC and 12 May 06:00 UTC.

Compiled from primary sources Editor: Hristo Stanchev Sources cited: 7 Events logged: 7
Confirmed / probable (cumulative)
9
ECDC formal: 7 confirmed + 2 probable
Under investigation
2
US "mild" positive · French passenger
Deaths (cumulative)
3
±0 in past 24h
Countries involved
14
monitoring continues

What happened on 12 May

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control issued a formal update reporting 9 total cases (7 confirmed plus 2 probable) and assessed the risk to the EU/EEA general population as very low. The MV Hondius departed Granadilla port for Rotterdam with approximately 30 crew and 2 health workers remaining aboard, ending the active disembarkation phase. The French passenger whose positive test was announced on 11 May was reported to have deteriorated overnight; condition under continued medical management.

Separately, Brazilian authorities reported a 46-year-old man in Minas Gerais who died on 8 February 2026 had been retrospectively confirmed as Andes virus infection, with confirmation announced 12 May. This case is unrelated to the MV Hondius cluster and reflects endemic Andes virus transmission in the southern cone region. Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed two of its nationals from the vessel had returned home; both asymptomatic.

24-hour event log (11 May 06:00 → 12 May 06:00 UTC)

12 May · 06:00
update

ECDC formal update: 9 cases total, EU/EEA risk very low

ECDC confirmed 9 total cases (7 confirmed + 2 probable) and 3 deaths. EU/EEA general population risk assessed as very low. EU/EEA member states cooperating on contact tracing.

Source: ECDC update, 11 May 2026 (consolidated and republished 12 May)
12 May · morning
update

MV Hondius departs Granadilla for Rotterdam

The vessel departed Granadilla port for Rotterdam with approximately 30 crew and 2 health workers remaining aboard. Disembarkation phase complete. Tracking through Atlantic transit shifts to the Dutch IHR Focal Point.

Source: ABC News reporting · Wikipedia consolidation
12 May
update

France: confirmed case condition deteriorates

French passenger whose positive test was announced 11 May reported to have deteriorated overnight per French Ministry of Health. Patient under continued medical management. 22 high-risk contacts traced; 8 flight contacts remain in isolation.

Source: French Ministry of Health via wire services (CGTN)
12 May
update

UNMC update: 16 in National Quarantine Unit, 1 in biocontainment

University of Nebraska Medical Center continued biocontainment of one US patient with the disputed "mild" positive result. 15 other passengers in National Quarantine Unit remained asymptomatic. CDC and HHS coordinated state-level monitoring across California, Maryland, Texas, Georgia, Virginia, Arizona, and New Jersey.

Source: CDC Situation Summary · HHS communications
12 May
confirmed (unrelated)

Brazil: retrospective Andes virus confirmation (unrelated to MV Hondius)

Brazilian health authorities announced a 46-year-old man in Minas Gerais who died 8 February 2026 had been retrospectively confirmed as Andes virus infection. This case is unrelated to the MV Hondius cluster and reflects endemic Andes virus transmission in the southern cone region.

Source: Brazilian Ministry of Health via CGTN consolidation
12 May
update

Russia: 2 nationals returned home, asymptomatic

Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed 2 Russian MV Hondius passengers had been repatriated. Both asymptomatic and under monitoring per Russian public health protocols.

Source: Russian Foreign Ministry communications via wire
12 May
update

WHO continues IHR coordination; no new DON publication this period

WHO continued three-level coordination across involved IHR Focal Points. No new Disease Outbreak News publication issued since DON599 of 4 May (corrigendum 5 May); next DON update timing not announced. CDC Level 3 response remained active.

Source: WHO IHR coordination · CDC HAN 00528

Sources cited in this report

  1. ECDC, Andes hantavirus outbreak in cruise ship, 11 May 2026. ecdc.europa.eu
  2. CDC Situation Summary. cdc.gov/hantavirus
  3. CDC HAN 00528. cdc.gov/han
  4. French Ministry of Health communications, 12 May 2026 (Health Minister Stéphanie Rist).
  5. Brazilian Ministry of Health communication, 12 May 2026 (retrospective Minas Gerais case).
  6. Russian Foreign Ministry communications, 12 May 2026.
  7. Wire services: ABC News, CGTN consolidation. cgtn.com

See methodology for the source-tiering framework and corrections log for any future amendments to this report.