#19,153
The ECDC has released their own set of recommendations for EU countries regarding the management of passengers returning from the m/v Hondius. It should be noted that this is an advisory document, and not a mandate.
While these types of documents carry considerable weight, each member state can decide how to best manage the situation.
I've provided the the summary, and a link to the full 8-page PDF below.
Rapid Scientific Advice on the management of passengers - In the context of the Andes virus outbreak on the cruise ship MV Hondius
Assessment
9 May 2026
As of 9 May 2026, a total of eight cases of Andes virus infection, including three deaths and one critically ill patient, linked to the M/V Hondius cruise ship have been reported.
Key messages
ECDC has classified all people on board the ship and for the purpose of disembarkation and repatriation to be high-risk contacts.This document provides advice for public health professionals in the EU/EEA managing individuals potentially exposed to ANDV, including on:Defining contact classification criteria based on level of exposure, including close and prolonged contact with symptomatic people;
- Monitoring/quarantine up to six weeks (42 days); Day 0 = 6 May 2026.
- High-risk contacts: self-quarantine, daily symptom monitoring, test if symptomatic.
- Low-risk contacts: passive monitoring; isolate and test if symptoms develop.
- Flights: trace contacts for probable/confirmed cases only (same row ±2 rows on long flights).
- IPC: masking, one to two metres distancing, PPE for healthcare/cleaning
- Strong risk communication and misinformation management.
ECDC rapid scientific advice disclosure statement: ECDC issues rapid scientific advice to meet an emergent or urgent public health need or to quickly reply to external requests. To accommodate the accelerated timeline, the process and methods used for the development of rapid scientific advice may be modified from those of standard assessments and recommendations. Potential limitations are described.
- The identification, management and monitoring of contacts, including advice on testing.
- Appropriate infection prevention and control (IPC) measures for managing repatriated passengers and crew, suspected and confirmed cases and their contacts in healthcare and community settings; and
- Risk communication, community engagement and the management of misinformation.