A KLM flight attendant, who had close contact with one of the deceased hantavirus victims, tested negative for the disease on Friday, May 8, 2026.
The flight attendant was on a KLM flight from Johannesburg, South Africa, to Amsterdam on April 25, 2025, alongside the woman who later tested positive for hantavirus. In a written statement to journalists, as reported by Dutch News, the World Health Organization (WHO), through its representatives in the Netherlands, confirmed that the flight attendant did not contract the hantavirus.
“Upon arrival in the Netherlands last Wednesday, the flight attendant was taken to Amsterdam UMC hospital. She then self-isolated after showing mild symptoms,” the WHO stated. This swift action underscores the proactive health measures taken to contain any potential spread.
A spokesperson for the Kennemerland regional health board confirmed on Thursday that fewer than 10 individuals on that flight had intensive contact with the hantavirus patient. These individuals were primarily those who assisted the Dutch woman when she fell ill. They will remain under close monitoring to ensure none of them have contracted the virus. “These are the people who provided assistance. They will be intensively monitored, and experts are currently consulting on appropriate next steps,” the spokesperson added, emphasizing the ongoing vigilance.
Meanwhile, Kennemerland authorities have also identified 60 individuals who had contact with the 69-year-old Dutch woman who tragically passed away due to hantavirus. “This includes five people who had ‘intensive contact’,” the GGD Health Service reported, citing NL Times. These efforts highlight the comprehensive approach to contact tracing.
Previously, a Dutch man who boarded the MV Hondius cruise ship in Ushuaia with his wife died on board on April 11. His remains were disembarked from the ship on April 24 in Saint Helena, an island in the South Atlantic, where 29 other passengers also disembarked, according to the ship operator. This marked a critical point in the unfolding health incident.
“All these passengers have been contacted by Oceanwide Expeditions. We are working to obtain details of all passengers and crew who boarded and disembarked at various stops of the Hondius since March 20,” the company stated, illustrating the vast scale of the contact tracing operation.
12 Countries Affected
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, as reported by Anadolu, announced that 12 countries have been notified that their citizens disembarked from the cruise ship affected by the hantavirus outbreak in Saint Helena. These nations include Canada, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, and the United States, underscoring the international scope of the concern.
Tedros further explained that the first two confirmed cases had traveled through Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay before boarding the ship. This journey included a visit to a bird observation site where rodents known to carry the Andes virus were present, strongly suggesting the potential source of the infection.
The MV Hondius cruise ship is currently en route to Spain and is scheduled to arrive on Saturday, May 9, 2026. Two Dutch doctors and a WHO expert are now on board the vessel, providing specialized medical oversight. “No remaining passengers or crew are showing symptoms,” Tedros confirmed during a press conference on Thursday afternoon, offering reassurance about the current health status on board.
Pilihan Editor: WHO: Hantavirus di Kapal Pesiar Tak Akan Picu Pandemi
Summary
A KLM flight attendant who had close contact with a deceased hantavirus victim has tested negative for the disease. The flight attendant was on a flight from Johannesburg to Amsterdam on April 25, 2025, with the individual who later tested positive. Upon arrival, the flight attendant was taken to Amsterdam UMC, self-isolated with mild symptoms, and subsequently cleared by the WHO.
Health authorities are monitoring fewer than 10 individuals who had intensive contact with the patient on the flight and have also identified 60 contacts of the deceased woman. Separately, a hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship has affected passengers from 12 countries, with initial cases potentially contracted in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay. The cruise ship is en route to Spain with medical experts on board; no remaining passengers or crew are currently showing symptoms.