Seventeen American passengers from the Dutch-flagged cruise ship Hondius have arrived back in the United States following a harrowing voyage marked by a deadly hantavirus outbreak. The group landed at Omaha Eppley Airfield in Nebraska at approximately 2:30 a.m. ET on Monday, May 11, 2026, via a State Department plane, where they were transported to a nearby medical center for assessment, and monitoring.
- Repatriation: 17 Americans returned to Nebraska for medical monitoring.
- Medical Status: One passenger tested positive for hantavirus, and another is receiving treatment for mild symptoms.
- Outbreak Toll: The Hondius voyage saw six confirmed cases, two suspected cases, and three deaths.
- Route: The ship traveled from Argentina to Tenerife in the Canary Islands.
The Arrival and Medical Response in Nebraska
The return of the passengers was handled with high-level medical precautions. According to a statement from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), two Americans were transported in biocontainment units “out of an abundance of caution.”
Current health reports indicate that one passenger has tested positive for the virus. A second passenger, who is exhibiting mild symptoms, is being transferred to a separate health facility for specialized treatment. HHS officials stated that every individual arriving at the medical facilities will undergo a clinical assessment to ensure they receive appropriate care based on their specific condition.
Conflicting Reports on Test Results
While U.S. Health officials have reported a positive case, there is a discrepancy regarding the confirmation of the virus. In a statement, the Spanish Health Ministry noted that the results for the passenger whom the HHS identified as positive were “not conclusive.”
Timeline of the Hondius Voyage
The Hondius departed from Argentina on April 1, carrying nearly 150 passengers on a nature sightseeing mission designed to visit some of the world’s most remote locations. The journey ended early Sunday when the ship arrived at the island of Tenerife, the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands.
What began as an expedition into biodiversity turned into a health crisis. The voyage resulted in six confirmed cases and two suspected cases of hantavirus—a disease typically associated with rodents. Tragically, three passengers died during the trip.
Understanding the Risk
Hantavirus is generally linked to rodent exposure. While the bird-watching community has attempted to push back against claims that a specific Argentine city known for biodiversity was the source of the outbreak, the severity of the cases on the Hondius has drawn significant international attention. The coordination between the U.S. State Department, HHS, and Spanish health authorities underscores the complexity of managing infectious disease outbreaks in international waters.
Looking Ahead
Health officials in Nebraska will continue to monitor the repatriated passengers to ensure no further spread of the virus. As the investigation into the source of the outbreak continues, the case of the Hondius serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with travel to remote regions where zoonotic diseases may be present.