WHO Confirms KLM Flight Attendant Negative for Hantavirus Following Cruise Ship Outbreak
The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that a KLM flight attendant who was hospitalized in Amsterdam after showing mild symptoms has tested negative for hantavirus. The announcement, made on May 8, 2026, provides significant relief following concerns that the virus—linked to a deadly outbreak on a cruise ship—might have spread via commercial air travel.
- A KLM flight attendant tested negative for hantavirus after exposure to an infected passenger.
- The outbreak originated on the MV Hondius cruise ship, where three passengers have died.
- The specific strain identified is the Andes virus, which is rare for its ability to transmit from person to person.
- The WHO maintains that the risk to the general public remains “absolutely low.”
The KLM Exposure Incident
The health scare began after a flight attendant came into contact with a passenger who had been on a KLM flight from Johannesburg to the Netherlands on April 25. According to KLM, the passenger—the wife of the first fatality in the cruise ship outbreak—was removed from the aircraft before take-off due to her medical condition. The woman subsequently died in a Johannesburg hospital on April 26 and tested positive for hantavirus.
The flight attendant, who developed mild symptoms, was admitted to a hospital in Amsterdam for monitoring. A spokeswoman for the WHO told AFP that the agency received notification through its International Health Regulations (IHR) focal point that the employee eventually tested negative. As a precaution, Dutch health authorities are contacting other individuals who were on the flight.
Outbreak on the MV Hondius
The source of the infection is the MV Hondius, a Dutch-flagged vessel operated by Oceanwide Expeditions. The ship departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1, bound for Cape Verde. With approximately 150 people on board, the vessel became the site of an unprecedented hantavirus outbreak.
To date, three passengers have died: a Dutch husband and wife and a German woman. According to reports from Le Monde, the WHO has identified five confirmed cases and three suspected cases of the virus. The ship is expected to arrive in Tenerife, in the Spanish Canary Islands, on Sunday, where special flights will be arranged to repatriate passengers.
The Role of the Andes Virus
Hantaviruses typically spread from rodents to humans. However, this outbreak involves the Andes virus, the only known hantavirus species capable of transmitting from person to person. This characteristic has fueled international concern regarding the potential for wider spread.
Despite this, the WHO emphasizes that the virus is not highly contagious. WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier noted that even in cases where passengers shared cabins, both individuals did not necessarily become infected. “This is a dangerous virus, but only to the person who’s really infected, and the risk to the general population remains absolutely low,” Lindmeier stated.
Containment and Global Response
The chain of transmission has triggered extensive contact tracing across several continents. The process began on April 24, when 30 passengers, including the first fatality, disembarked the MV Hondius at the remote British island of Saint Helena. A subsequent flight from Saint Helena to Johannesburg on April 25 led to further tracing of onward travel.
Currently, individuals who are suspected of contracting the virus or are fearing infection are being treated or isolating in the following countries:
- South Africa
- The Netherlands
- Germany
- Switzerland
- Britain
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Andes virus?
The Andes virus is a specific strain of hantavirus. While most hantaviruses are contracted through contact with rodent droppings or urine, the Andes virus is unique because it can be transmitted between humans.
Is there a risk to the general public?
According to the WHO, the risk to the general public is “absolutely low.” The virus does not appear to jump easily from person to person, as evidenced by the limited infection rates among cabin-mates on the MV Hondius.
What happens to the passengers on the MV Hondius?
The ship is heading to Tenerife, where passengers will be processed and transported back to their respective home countries via special flights.
Looking Ahead
While the negative test result of the KLM flight attendant mitigates fears of a wider aviation-based spread, health authorities remain vigilant. The focus now shifts to the safe repatriation of the MV Hondius passengers and the continued monitoring of those in isolation across Europe and Africa to ensure the outbreak is fully contained.