A cluster of Andes virus (a hantavirus) infections linked to the expedition cruise ship MV Hondius has created a real-world test of how outbreaks generate multi-line insurance losses, even when public health agencies assess low risk to the general public. 

What happened? 

The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported a multi-country cluster tied to the ship’s South Atlantic/Antarctica itinerary, with severe respiratory illness, including deaths. CDC and ECDC issued updates and guidance because passengers and crew dispersed internationally, creating a long 'follow-up tail' (monitoring, tracing, and medical support). 

Why Andes virus matters? It is the only hantavirus with documented person-to-person transmission, even though it is uncommon and typically requires close contact.

The insurance implications

Marine liability and protection and indemnity (P&I): Quarantine and disinfection costs

Infectious disease on a ship can trigger extraordinary expenses, including:

• Quarantine orders;
• Disinfection;
• Surveys/health certification; and
• Passenger support while authorities restrict movement.

Some P&I rule frameworks explicitly address quarantine/disinfection expenses (often with conditions such as these costs being linked to an order, and being “extraordinary,” not routine operating costs). 

Passenger injury/death claims (and defence costs)

Even if liability is hard to prove, outbreaks can result in high legal spend across jurisdictions. Cruise tickets often include forum selection clauses (i.e. requiring suits in a specific country) and liability limitations. Yet claimants may still challenge the terms under consumer protection rules, depending on the forum and jurisdiction. P&I guidance also highlights potential liabilities to passengers for illness/injury/death. 

Policy wording: Communicable disease exclusions and 'silent exposure'

Post-Covid, many insurers tightened language to reduce unintended communicable disease coverage. Lloyd’s market guidance includes model communicable disease exclusion wordings that can affect how liability policies respond.

Takeaway for underwriters: Documentation is a loss-control tool

For insurers, the best risk indicator is often operational proof: onboard logs, medical timelines, cleaning and ventilation steps, communications with authorities, and early expert involvement. For maritime pathogen events, building this record immediately is advised. 

The WHO also issued an event-specific technical guidance for disembarkation and onward management, which is useful as a benchmark for good practice.