Investigation Underway for Hantavirus Outbreak Linked to Cruise Ship

A hantavirus outbreak connected to the MV Hondius cruise ship has prompted an investigation by Dutch health authorities. The first suspected case involves a 70-year-old ornithologist who tragically passed away during the voyage. The couple had been traveling through South America and may have been exposed to the virus at a landfill site. As health officials monitor other passengers, the incident raises concerns about the Andes strain of hantavirus, known for its potential human-to-human transmission. This article delves into the details of the outbreak and the ongoing investigation.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 9, 2026, 22:56 IST

Hantavirus Outbreak Investigation

Health officials in the Netherlands are probing a hantavirus outbreak associated with a cruise ship, with a 70-year-old ornithologist identified as the likely initial case. Leo Schilperoord and his spouse, Mirjam Schilperoord, hailing from Haulerwijk, had been exploring South America for several months prior to boarding the MV Hondius in Argentina this past April. They arrived in Argentina in November and traveled through Chile and Uruguay, as reported in local news and obituaries from their village.

The couple, avid birdwatchers, had previously collaborated on a study regarding pink-footed geese published in the Dutch ornithological magazine Het Vogeljaar back in 1984. In late March, they returned to Argentina and visited a landfill near Ushuaia, a hotspot for birdwatchers seeking to observe the rare white-throated caracara, also known as Darwin’s caracara, named after the famous naturalist.

Argentine health authorities suspect that the couple may have encountered the Andes strain of hantavirus, which is transmitted by long-tailed pygmy rice rats. This strain is notably the only variant known to facilitate human-to-human transmission.

Local guide and photographer Gastón Bretti remarked, "Birdwatchers frequently visit landfills due to the abundance of birds there." He noted that the waste pile has grown significantly beyond the limits set by authorities.

The Schilperoords boarded the MV Hondius from Ushuaia on April 1, joining 112 other passengers, many of whom were scientists or fellow birdwatchers. Reports indicate that Leo Schilperoord began experiencing symptoms such as fever, headaches, abdominal pain, and diarrhea on April 6, ultimately passing away on the ship five days later.

His wife disembarked with his remains during a scheduled stop at St Helena on April 24. She continued her journey to Johannesburg, intending to catch a KLM flight back to the Netherlands. However, airline personnel assessed her condition as too severe for travel. Reports indicate she collapsed at the airport and passed away the following day.

Health authorities are actively investigating the outbreak and monitoring passengers from the cruise. At least seven American travelers who shared the same route to Johannesburg have returned to the United States, including two individuals from New Jersey. An obituary in the Haulerwijk village magazine poignantly described the couple as "like birds in flight," expressing, "We will miss you and the stories."