Health agencies are monitoring new hantavirus cases linked to a cruise ship outbreak, though WHO and CDC say the overall public health risk remains low.
A confirmed hantavirus infection in Israel and several suspected cases under investigation in Europe have raised fresh concerns about the rare rodent-borne disease linked to the ongoing MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak (1✔ ✔Trusted Source
Hantavirus cluster linked to cruise ship travel, Multi-country
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Health authorities in the United Kingdom, Spain, the Netherlands, Singapore, and other countries are continuing contact tracing and monitoring efforts after multiple passengers and crew members developed severe respiratory illness linked to Andes virus, a rare hantavirus strain capable of limited human-to-human transmission.
Despite the growing international attention, both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say the overall public health risk currently remains low.
What Is Happening in the Global Hantavirus Outbreak?
According to the WHO, the outbreak was first reported on May 2, 2026, after a cluster of severe respiratory illness cases emerged aboard the Dutch-flagged MV Hondius cruise ship traveling in the Atlantic Ocean.
According to the latest update from the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, a total of nine cases linked to the MV Hondius outbreak have now been reported, including seven confirmed cases and two probable cases of Andes hantavirus infection. Three deaths have been recorded so far (2✔ ✔Trusted Source
Andes hantavirus outbreak in cruise ship, 11 May 2026
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WHO said the confirmed infections were caused by Andes virus (ANDV), a hantavirus strain found mainly in South America and known to cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a severe respiratory disease that can affect the lungs.
Investigators believe the first patient may have been exposed to infected rodents during travel activities in Argentina before boarding the ship.
WHO stated that ongoing investigations are examining whether limited person-to-person transmission later occurred onboard through prolonged close contact.
The CDC also confirmed that the Andes virus is the only hantavirus strain known to spread between humans, although transmission usually requires prolonged close exposure involving respiratory secretions, saliva, or body fluids (3✔ ✔Trusted Source
Hantavirus: Current Situation
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WHO noted that the cruise ship environment may increase transmission risk because of:
- Close living quarters
- Shared indoor spaces
- Prolonged exposure between passengers
Frequent interpersonal interactions
Which Countries Have Reported Confirmed or Suspected Cases?
Israel
According to local reports, Israel confirmed a hantavirus infection unrelated to the cruise ship outbreak. The patient is believed to have acquired the infection during a stay in Eastern Europe several months earlier.
The patient initially underwent antibody testing, followed by PCR (polyerase chain reaction) testing that confirmed the infection. Authorities said the patient remained stable and under medical observation without needing intensive care or strict isolation.
United Kingdom
The UK Health Security Agency confirmed two British cases connected to the MV Hondius outbreak. One patient remains stable in the Netherlands after evacuation from the ship, while another remains in intensive care in South Africa.
A third suspected case is also being investigated on Tristan da Cunha, a remote South Atlantic island where the ship stopped in April. Two additional British nationals are currently self-isolating at home after possible exposure on board, although they remain symptom-free.
Spain
Spanish authorities are investigating a suspected infection in a 32-year-old woman who shared a flight with a cruise ship passenger who later died from hantavirus infection.
According to Spanish health officials, the woman developed coughing and general malaise and was placed in isolation at a hospital in Alicante for testing. Officials said she had only brief contact with the infected passenger during the flight.
Netherlands
WHO confirmed that a KLM flight attendant in Amsterdam tested negative for Andes virus after brief exposure to a hantavirus patient. Health experts said this finding supports the theory that person-to-person spread is unlikely without prolonged close contact.
Singapore
Singapore’s Communicable Diseases Agency reported that two Singaporean passengers from the MV Hondius cruise ship tested negative for hantavirus after isolation and laboratory testing. Authorities said the public health risk in Singapore remains low.
Should You Be Worried About Hantavirus?
WHO and CDC currently assess the global public health risk as low, although the risk to passengers and crew aboard the affected ship is considered moderate due to close onboard exposure.
According to the WHO, hantavirus infections are relatively uncommon worldwide. In 2025, countries in the Americas reported 229 cases and 59 deaths, while Europe reported 1,885 hantavirus infections in 2023.
WHO also noted that hantavirus infections can carry:
- Case fatality rates below 15% in Asia and Europe
- Mortality rates as high as 50% in the Americas
The CDC stated that symptoms of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome usually appear between 4 and 42 days after exposure. Early symptoms may include:
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Muscle aches
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Chills
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
As the disease progresses, patients may develop:
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness
- Respiratory distress caused by fluid accumulation in the lungs
The CDC warned that about 38% of people who develop respiratory symptoms from Andes virus infection may not survive.
However, health agencies emphasize that routine travel can continue normally because current evidence does not show widespread community transmission.
How Can You Reduce the Risk of Hantavirus Infection?
WHO and CDC say most hantavirus infections occur after exposure to infected rodents, especially through urine, saliva, or droppings. Exposure can happen while cleaning rodent-infested areas, camping, farming, or visiting heavily infested rural environments.
Health agencies recommend several preventive measures:
- Seal holes and gaps in homes and garages
- Reduce rodent infestations using traps
- Avoid contact with rodent droppings and urine
- Clean potentially contaminated areas carefully
- Practice hand hygiene regularly
- Seek medical care early if symptoms develop after exposure
WHO also advises exposed individuals to monitor symptoms for up to 42 days after possible exposure and seek immediate medical attention if respiratory symptoms appear.
At present, there is no licensed vaccine or specific antiviral treatment approved for hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. WHO and CDC say early supportive medical care and rapid hospitalization remain the most important measures for improving survival.
Reference:
- Hantavirus Cluster Linked to Cruise Ship Travel, Multi-country – (https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2026-DON600)
- Andes Hantavirus Outbreak in Cruise Ship, 11 May 2026 – (https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/infectious-disease-topics/hantavirus-infection/surveillance-and-updates/andes-hantavirus-outbreak)
- Hantavirus: Current Situation – (https://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/situation-summary/index.html)
Source-Medindia