CDC Provides Update on Hantavirus Outbreak Linked to M/V Hondius Cruise Ship

On May 18, 2026, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that 18 recently repatriated U.S. passengers from the M/V Hondius cruise ship were requested to remain in at the Nebraska Quarantine Facility through May 31, 2026, which would be the 21-day mark of their monitoring period. Since the passengers disembarked from the ship, three additional cases of hantavirus have been identified - one each in France, Spain, and recently, Canada.

CDC has issued quarantine orders for two passengers who were repatriated to Nebraska from the ship. The orders were signed by CDC's Acting Director and issued under the Public Health Service Act and implementing regulations (42 CFR parts 70 and 71). Quarantine is a public health measure, available at the federal, state, and county level, and used as necessary to protect communities.

CDC will continue to coordinate with state and local health authorities as we work together as we work to come up with the best solutions to protect the health and safety of these passengers.