Cruise ship - Hantavirus - May 3+ - As of May 22 per WHO: 13 total cases, 3 total deaths

[Pathfinder]

14 May 2026

Daily Update: Hantavirus Response – 14 May 2026

The St Helena Government (SHG) continues to coordinate with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and international partners to manage the ongoing response to the hantavirus. Our priority remains the safety of the community through proactive monitoring and clear public information.

Clarity on Hantavirus Testing Capability

Laboratory personnel deployed to St Helena from the UKHSA are currently exploring the feasibility of performing hantavirus testing on-island. It is important to note that testing for this virus involves complex laboratory techniques and is typically performed only in highly specialised facilities; in the United Kingdom, for example, only one such laboratory exists.

Subject to rigorous quality and safety checks, it is hoped that on-island testing will be available by this weekend, though this cannot be guaranteed at this stage. Due to limited supplies, testing will be strictly prioritised for:

• People with a suspected hantavirus infection (there have been no suspected cases on St Helena to date).
• Weekly screening of higher-risk contacts (those currently in isolation).

Hantavirus testing will not be available on request. It is also important to clarify that a negative test result will not allow a person to exit isolation early. Instead, the testing is intended to provide the earliest possible warning of infection so that appropriate clinical care can begin immediately.

Upcoming Logistics and Relocations

Following recent risk assessments, a flight for the pre-emptive relocation of a small number of higher-risk individuals is scheduled to arrive on Saturday 16 May and depart on Sunday, 17 May 2026 subject to weather. These individuals, who currently show no signs of illness, are being moved to the UK to complete their isolation period in proximity to specialised medical facilities.

Cruise Ship Visit and Maritime Protocols

The cruise ship Azamara Onward, originally travelling from South Africa, is expected to visit St Helena next Tuesday, 19 May. The visit will proceed as normal, with standard maritime health protocols in effect. This includes the mandatory submission of Maritime Declarations of Health and rigorous screening by local officials. Whilst we are sensitive to public concern, it is important to remember that the hantavirus case was a rare and isolated occurrence.

Territorial Status Update

• St Helena: Zero confirmed or suspected cases.
• Tristan da Cunha: One probable case remains stable and is improving.
• Ascension Island: No confirmed cases. Investigations continue for one high-risk contact who developed symptoms; initial tests were negative. As a precautionary measure, pre-emptive relocation efforts are in progress for this individual to be moved closer to medical care and specialised support.

Support for those self-isolating

The Government has agreed a mechanism to support those individuals who are voluntary self-isolating, the details of the support scheme will be announced by the Chief Minister on Friday.

Public Information

The public are encouraged to tune in to the scheduled radio talks tomorrow, Friday, for further updates from Public Health professionals and are reminded to use official SHG channels for the most accurate information. The updated Q&A can be accessed here: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/documents/hantavirus-qa/.

If you had direct contact with the MV Hondius and develop a fever or muscle aches, please call the Hantavirus Screening Line on 25949 immediately for guidance.

#StHelena #PublicHealth #UKHSA #MedicalTesting #MaritimeSafety

www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt

https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/daily-update-hantavirus-response-14-may-2026/

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UKHSA update on the hantavirus cruise ship outbreak

Latest information on cases including British nationals.
From: UK Health Security Agency and Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Published 6 May 2026 Last updated 15 May 2026 — See all updates



Latest update

The UK government continues to work with the NHS, local authorities and UK Overseas Territories in response to the hantavirus outbreak. UKHSA and NHS staff have been closely monitoring those currently at Arrowe Park and those isolating at home to provide them with all necessary support.

As part of the outbreak response, UKHSA has deployed a rapid response mobile laboratory to the British Overseas Territory of St Helena.

Three members of the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team (UK-PHRST), a partnership between UKHSA and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, funded with UK aid by the Department of Health and Social Care, have been deployed with the laboratory in response to a request for support from the St Helena Government.

This includes 2 microbiologists who will provide PCR testing for hantavirus on the island, as well as supporting local testing to exclude other conditions. An infection prevention and control (IPC) expert will also support Jamestown General Hospital to prepare and respond to any potential cases, providing IPC assessments and training.

Dr Edmund Newman, Director of the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team, said:

This deployment reflects UKHSA’s commitment to responding rapidly to health threats wherever they emerge and to supporting our international partners in protecting public health globally.

Our teams continue to work closely with all those affected by this outbreak, both in the UK and overseas, to ensure all necessary support is in place. The risk to the general public remains very low.

Further information on the rapid response mobile laboratory can be found in the recent blog from UKHSA.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ukhsa-update-on-the-hantavirus-cruise-ship-outbreak

[Shiloh]

Source: https://arstechnica.com/health/2026/...from-11-to-10/

US hantavirus case was false positive; outbreak cases drop from 11 to 10
WHO announced today that the operation to safely transfer passengers is complete.
Beth Mole – May 15, 2026 5:31 p.m

In a press briefing Friday, officials for the World Health Organization announced that the case count of the hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship MV Hondius in the South Atlantic has shrunk from 11 cases to 10 after a previously reported US case was found to be a false positive.

That US case was originally reported by US health officials as “mildly positive,” and the WHO had considered it “inconclusive,” but still counted in the outbreak as a case in the agency’s May 13 outbreak report and in a briefing on May 14.

The inconclusive case was in Dr. Stephen Kornfeld, an American doctor aboard the ship who helped respond to the outbreak after the ship’s doctor became ill. In an interview with CNN earlier this week, Kornfeld explained that he and others on board had taken nasal swabs early in May, before evacuation, and those swabs were sent for PCR testing in the Netherlands. Two labs in the Netherlands processed Kornfeld’s swabs; one lab reported a negative result, and the other reported a faint positive.

Generally, a faint positive result on a PCR test could suggest low levels of virus at the start or end of an infection, or it could simply suggest contamination...

[Pathfinder]

Netherlands -


Current information about hantavirus



Find the latest updates on the Andes virus here, following the outbreak aboard the cruise ship m/v Hondius.

---

15-05-2026 | 10:45

Test results of the passengers of the 2nd and 3rd repatriation flights

The passengers and crew from the cruise ship MV Hondius who were on the 2nd and 3rd repatriation flights have all tested negative for the Andes virus. This means that no Andes virus has been detected in these people.

The 26 individuals arrived at Eindhoven airbase during the night of Monday to Tuesday. They were medically screened and tested by the GGD on site. The samples collected for laboratory testing have been examined by RIVM and Erasmus MC. The test results are negative for all 26 persons.

Andes virus testing is part of the protocol for the early detection of infection. Regardless of the test results, the repatriated Dutch passengers are subject to mandatory self-isolation at home for 6 weeks.

RIVM does not publish any statements about individual results.

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12-05-2026 | 15:45

Test results first step in medical screening of repatriated passengers

On Sunday evening 10 May, the first flight with 26 persons including 8 Dutch passengers arrived at Eindhoven Airport. Upon arrival in the Netherlands, these persons were thoroughly medically screened. At the airport, all those involved had samples taken for laboratory testing. The test results were negative. RIVM does not publish any statements about individual results.

The samples collected in the Netherlands have been analysed by both RIVM and the Erasmus MC for additional certainty regarding the results. The tests measure whether someone is or was infected with the Andes virus.

...

https://www.rivm.nl/en/hantavirus/current-information

[Pathfinder]

UKHSA update on the hantavirus cruise ship outbreak

Latest information on cases including British nationals.
From: UK Health Security Agency and Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Published 6 May 2026 Last updated 16 May 2026 — See all updates



Latest update

The UK government continues to work with the NHS, local authorities and UK Overseas Territories in response to the hantavirus outbreak. UKHSA and NHS staff have been closely monitoring those currently at Arrowe Park and those isolating at home to provide them with all necessary support. A further individual has left Arrowe Park today to complete their 45-day isolation period at home after a clinical and public health assessment confirmed it was safe for them to do so.

A contact from Ascension Island, a medic who developed symptoms, has now safely arrived at the High Consequence Infectious Disease (HCID) unit in Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. They were medically evacuated to the UK separately for specialist assessment, as a highly precautionary measure.

While the individual is not a confirmed case, cases of Hantavirus can rapidly become very unwell and require critical care. As there is no specialist infectious diseases unit on Ascension Island, the decision was made to bring them to the UK to ensure they receive the best possible support at a HCID unit should they become unwell. The individual will undergo further testing and assessment at the unit today.

As updated previously, UKHSA is working closely with FCDO and UK Overseas Territories to support the relocation of 9 asymptomatic contacts from St Helena and Ascension Island. They will be brought to the UK to complete their self-isolation as a highly precautionary measure. This will ensure they can be provided with the best possible support from the NHS’s HCID network should they become unwell.

They are expected to arrive in the UK on Sunday and will be transferred to Arrowe Park where they will be closely monitored and offered all necessary support. The chartered flight will operate under strict infection prevention and control measures and medical checks will be carried out before the flight to ensure passengers are asymptomatic.

Dr William Welfare, Director Health Protection in Regions at UKHSA, said:

We would like to thank those who remain in isolation at Arrowe Park, as well as those now self-isolating at home. We know how difficult and stressful a time this continues to be for all those involved and we are very grateful for their cooperation.

Our teams will continue to work closely with all those affected by this outbreak, ensuring everyone has the necessary support in place.

I am very pleased to hear the contact who developed symptoms on Ascension Island is now safely being cared for at the High Consequence Infectious Diseases unit in Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.

UKHSA continues to work closely with FCDO, DHSC and NHS colleagues to safely bring the British nationals currently isolating on St Helena and Ascension Island to the UK.

The risk to the general public remains very low.

Further information on the rapid response mobile laboratory can be found in the recent blog from UKHSA.

...

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ukhsa-update-on-the-hantavirus-cruise-ship-outbreak

[Treyfish]

CGTN Africa
@cgtnafrica
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33m
BRITISH COLUMBIA HEALTH OFFICIAL CONFIRMS 1 CASE OF HANTAVIRUS IN CANADA-CBC NEWS

[alert]

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-update-hantavirus-update-bonnie-henry-may-16-9.7202396

[Pathfinder]

Media update on Andes hantavirus situation


From: Public Health Agency of Canada

Statement

May 16, 2026 | Ottawa, ON

On May 16, 2026, the British Columbia Provincial Health Officer reported that one of the four high risk individuals who was self-isolating and being monitored for symptoms has tested presumptive positive for Andes hantavirus. The person was transported to hospital for assessment and care on May 14 along with their spouse who also has mild symptoms. The couple were passengers on the MV Hondius. Both will remain in isolation in hospital. Out of an abundance of caution, a third individual who was in secure lodging for isolation has been transferred to hospital for assessment and testing.

All infection prevention and control protocols are being followed, including the use of personal protective equipment by healthcare workers and personnel involved in the repatriation. Those involved in the repatriation are not considered at risk given the public health protective measures that were in place, in addition to the length of time between repatriation and the onset of symptoms.

Samples have arrived at the Public Health Agency of Canada’s National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) in Winnipeg for confirmatory testing. Results are expected in the next two days.

The Public Health Agency of Canada, the province of British Columbia, and local public health are working together to ensure all public health measures continue to be followed to protect the health of Canadians.

The overall risk to the general population in Canada from the Andes hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship remains low at this time. But, given the severity of this virus, we are taking a precautionary approach to ensure Canadians are protected.

The Public Health Agency of Canada will continue to actively monitor the situation, provide guidance and support to provincial/territorial public health partners and share updates as needed. Contacts


Media Relations
Public Health Agency of Canada
613-957-2983
media@hc-sc.gc.ca

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/news/2026/05/media-update-on-andes-hantavirus-situation0.html

[Pathfinder]

Hantavirus monitoring updates
...

Friday, May 15, 2026

Two more former passengers from the MV Hondius cruise ship arrived at the National Quarantine Unit (NQU) this afternoon, bringing the total number of individuals undergoing assessment to eighteen. The NQU team, in collaboration with public health partners, continues to monitor and assess those former passengers.

Those two individuals had been at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta since the passengers arrived from the Canary Islands Monday morning. They were medically cleared to transition to the NQU.

The University of Nebraska Medical Center/Nebraska Medicine is one of 13 Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Centers within the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response National Special Pathogen System.

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

All 16 passengers from the MV Hondius cruise ship are now being monitored and assessed in the National Quarantine Unit at Dr. Edwin G. & Dorothy Balbach Davis Global Center.

One passenger, who arrived from the Canary Islands early Monday morning, was initially admitted to the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit. He has since been medically cleared to move to the National Quarantine Unit.

...

https://www.nebraskamed.com/hantavirus/quarantine-updates

[Pathfinder]

Media update on Andes hantavirus situation


From: Public Health Agency of Canada

Statement

May 17, 2026 | Ottawa, ON

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has confirmed a case of Andes hantavirus in Canada through laboratory testing. This case was reported by the British Columbia Provincial Health Officer on May 16 and was among the passengers on the MV Hondius cruise ship.

Samples from British Columbia were sent to PHAC’s National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) in Winnipeg for confirmatory testing. One individual’s sample was confirmed positive for hantavirus on May 16. A second individual who was a travelling partner of the confirmed case was confirmed negative by the NML. There have been no further cases identified at this time. All high-risk contacts are isolating and will continue to be monitored closely by local public health.

PHAC, the province of British Columbia, and local public health are working together to ensure all public health measures continue to be followed to protect the health of Canadians.

The overall risk to the general population in Canada from the Andes hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship remains low at this time. All confirmed cases to date have been passengers or crew on the MV Hondius cruise ship. Given the severity of this virus, we are taking a precautionary approach to ensure Canadians are protected.

PHAC provided the information about the positive case to the World Health Organization as part of the International Health Regulations and will share information to support the ongoing global investigation of the outbreak.

“We want to thank public health authorities and frontline staff in British Columbia for the dedicated care that they are providing and for their ongoing management of the situation, and the passengers for their cooperation with public health direction to help keep others safe," said Dr. Joss Reimer, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada.

PHAC will continue to actively monitor the situation, provide guidance and support to provincial and territorial public health partners, and share updates as needed. Contacts


Media Relations
Public Health Agency of Canada
613-957-2983
media@hc-sc.gc.ca

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/news/2026/05/media-update-on-andes-hantavirus-situation1.html

[Pathfinder]

Press update | m/v Hondius: 17 May 2026, 13:40 hrs CET

by Oceanwide Expeditions News 17.05.2026

17 May 2026, 13:40 hrs CET

Oceanwide Expeditions continues to monitor the transit of m/v Hondius to Rotterdam. No symptomatic individuals are present on board.

The vessel remains on course and is scheduled to arrive in the Port of Rotterdam tomorrow, 18 May.

Oceanwide Expeditions has selected EWS Group to carry out the cleaning and disinfection of the vessel. In close consultation with RIVM, the cleaning plan is being finalized and will commence upon arrival on Monday 18 May. Once agreement has been reached with all relevant parties, we will share further details covering the process, steps, progress and outcomes.

The remaining crew and medical staff on board m/v Hondius will disembark in a staggered approach upon arrival in Rotterdam, in close coordination with the cleaning process. Please refer to the RIVM for more information regarding quarantine measures (https://www.rivm.nl/en).

Media are invited to observe the arrival of m/v Hondius from a dedicated press boat. The program is as follows:

• 09:00 – 09:30 Boarding of press vessel at Berghaven, Koningin Emmaboulevard 1a, Hoek van Holland
• 10:00 – 12:00 Arrival of m/v Hondius

Exact times of arrival and disembarkation are subject to change.

Further information about the arrival, including the media registration process, can be found here.

All media inquiries should be directed to: Mrs. Kiki Hirschfeldt: kiki@coebergh.nl

For all other matters, we refer to our previous press updates.
...

https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/pr...-14-00-hrs-cet

[alert]

This is the man from Ascension island, who is not in the 11 cases because all his tests have been negative so far:

https://www.mylondon.news/news/health/medic-hantavirus-symptoms-london-hospital-33962936

[Pathfinder]

Arrival and cleaning of the cruise ship Hondius

Publication date 18-05-2026 | 17:07

On 18 May 20206, at around 10.30 am, the cruise ship Hondius was moored at an enclosed part of the port of Rotterdam. 27 people are still on board the ship: crew members and medical personnel. On arrival in Rotterdam, these people will disembark in a phased and controlled manner. They will be accommodated in a special quarantine area in the port of Rotterdam.

Some crew members will remain on board to keep the ship running. They will later be escorted from the ship and given assistance.

Testing and quarantine

The people on board the ship have no symptoms. They are medically examined on arrival and blood is taken to test them for the Andes virus. The port of Rotterdam is an official quarantine port and a quarantine area has been established. The foreign persons on board are quarantined there in special temporary units as a precaution. The Dutch crew members, when they disembark, go into home quarantine. The municipal health service GGD has daily contact with the passengers. They will need to monitor their health. If they develop symptoms, they can receive medical care quickly and with the appropriate precautions.

Cleaning and disinfecting the ship

The inspection of the ship and the collection of samples starts today at the port of Rotterdam. Next, the ship is completely cleaned and disinfected. This is done by an experienced cleaning company. RIVM advised the cleaning company about this last week. The cleaning process takes several days. Cleaners must use personal protective equipment to ensure safe and healthy working conditions. In this way, the organisations involved aim to ensure that no one is infected and that the ship can return to service without risk.

The likelihood of spreading in the Netherlands remains very small

All measures taken are aimed at ensuring safe and controlled handling of the situation. The likelihood of the Andes virus spreading in the Netherlands is therefore still very low.

RIVM, the Rotterdam-Rijnmond Safety Region, GGD Rotterdam-Rijnmond, the Rotterdam Port Authority, the shipping company and other partners are working closely together to bring this operation to a successful conclusion.

https://www.rivm.nl/en/news/arrival-and-cleaning-of-cruise-ship-hondius

[Pathfinder]

UKHSA update on the hantavirus cruise ship outbreak

Latest information on cases including British nationals.
From: UK Health Security Agency and Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Published 6 May 2026 Last updated 18 May 2026 — See all updates

Latest update

The UK continues to work with international health agencies and governments around the world to understand and respond to the Hantavirus outbreak. We would like to thank the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan, and the government of Japan, who have supplied doses of the antiviral medicine favipiravir (FAVI) to support the UK’s preparedness and response to Hantavirus. This collaboration reflects the spirit of the UK and Japan public health partnership which includes a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

UKHSA accepted delivery of the medicine over the weekend, bolstering treatment supplies in the event that cases of Hantavirus are confirmed here. The risk of wider transmission of Hantavirus in the UK has not changed and remains very low but this is an important part of our preparedness and defence against the outbreak.

Health Minister Sharon Hodgson said:

It is great to see countries working together in real, practical ways to protect people’s health. I would like to thank our counterparts in Japan for their supply of these vital medicines, which will support our preparedness and ongoing response to Hantavirus. The UK and Japan share a strong and longstanding relationship, and this contribution is a positive example of how working closely together helps keep people safe from health threats around the world.

Chris Lewis, Director of Global Health Protection at UKHSA, said:

The collaboration between the UK and Japan during the hantavirus outbreak demonstrates the vital role of international partnerships in detecting, preventing, and responding to global health threats. This joint effort builds on a long-standing public health partnership between the UK and Japan and we thank them for this contribution to the UK response.

...

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ukhsa-update-on-the-hantavirus-cruise-ship-outbreak

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May 18, 2026

expert reaction to latest UKHSA hantavirus update including receiving from Japan doses of the antiviral medicine favipiravir (FAVI)

Scientists comment on the latest Hantavirus update from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on receiving doses of the antiviral favipiravir (FAVI).

Prof Piet Maes, President-elect of the Hantavirus Society, and Virologist at the Plotkin Institute, University of Brussels, said:

What is favipiravir?

“Favipiravir is a broad-spectrum antiviral drug that inhibits the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, an enzyme required for replication of many RNA viruses. It was originally developed for influenza and has since been investigated experimentally against several emerging RNA viruses, including Ebola virus, Lassa virus, and hantaviruses.

How is favipiravir administered, and under what circumstances would it be given?

“Favipiravir is administered orally. In the context of hantavirus infections, its use would generally be considered experimental or compassionate rather than standard-of-care. It would most likely be considered early in the course of disease, particularly in severe infections such as Andes virus infection, where mortality can be high and therapeutic options remain limited. However, there is currently no internationally established clinical protocol recommending favipiravir as a routine treatment for hantavirus disease.
...

https://www.sciencemediacentre.org/expert-reaction-to-latest-ukhsa-hantavirus-update-including-receiving-from-japan-doses-of-the-antiviral-medicine-favipiravir-favi/

[Pathfinder]

Hantavirus Update: Successful Repatriation

18 May 2026

Government, Press Release



The Ascension Island Government (AIG) and Georgetown Hospital can confirm that two successful repatriation flights took place this weekend as part of the ongoing hantavirus public health response on Ascension Island.

A medevac flight departed on Friday, followed by a repatriation flight on Sunday, to safely transfer the remaining high-risk group members from Ascension Island to the United Kingdom.

We are pleased to confirm that all high-risk individuals have now been safely repatriated and are now in the care of public health teams in South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Zimbabwe. All continue to be monitored in line with established public health protocols and guidance. We look forward to welcoming the individuals back to Ascension once they have been cleared to return.

AIG would like to thank all those involved in supporting and coordinating these operations, including medical personnel, emergency responders, aviation partners, and the wider community for their continued cooperation and understanding throughout this period.

The community will continue to be updated as further information becomes available. Office of the Administrator

18 May 2026

https://www.ascension.gov.ac/44526-2

[Michael Coston]

CDC HAN #00529: 2026 Hantavirus Outbreak: Testing for Potential Infection


Credit CDC


#19,166

Lest we forget with all that is going on with the Ebola outbreak in central Africa; the world is still on watch for additional cases of the Andes virus stemming from the outbreak aboard the m/v Hondius.

Yesterday the CDC released a HAN (Health Alert Network) update on this outbreak (see below). While of primary interest to clinicians, I've reproduced it below.

This update also reminds clinicians to consider other hantaviruses (New World & Old World) when confronted with patients with suggestive symptoms and exposure to sylvatic rodents or rodent excreta.


First the HAN update, then I'll return with a bit more.

2026 Hantavirus Outbreak: Testing for Potential Infection
May 18, 2026

At a glance
Distributed via the CDC Health Alert Network
May 18, 2026
CDCHAN-00529



Summary

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Update to inform clinicians and health departments about testing available for patients with suspected hantavirus infection to include Andes virus. CDC first issued a Health Advisory (CDCHAN-00528) about this outbreak on May 8, 2026.

Hantaviruses are a group of viruses that typically spread to people who come in contact with sylvatic rodents. These viruses can cause severe illness or death in humans. Andes virus, a type of hantavirus endemic in South America, is the only type of hantavirus that is known to spread from person to person. Several other New World hantaviruses are endemic to the United States and are not transmissible from person to person. New World hantaviruses can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a potentially serious disease that can cause damage to the lungs.

On May 2, 2026, an outbreak of Andes virus on a cruise ship was reported to the World Health Organization (WHO). This outbreak has raised the possibility of cases being imported to the United States. As of May 18, no confirmed cases of Andes virus associated with the outbreak on the cruise ship have been reported in the United States. Therefore, the overall risk to the American public is still considered extremely low at this time. CDC and health departments in several states are monitoring the health of U.S. passengers from the ship and U.S. air travel contacts of symptomatic ship passengers who were subsequently confirmed to have Andes virus infection. This Health Update informs clinicians about testing and consultation that are available for Andes virus and other hantaviruses endemic to the United States, South America, and other nations.

Background

On May 2, 2026, WHO was notified of a cluster of severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) among passengers and crew aboard the M/V Hondius cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean. On May 6, 2026, WHO confirmed that the cluster was caused by Andes virus, a hantavirus endemic in areas of South America that can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). Andes virus is the only hantavirus known to spread from person to person. This type of transmission is rare for hantaviruses and is generally associated with prolonged close contact. As of May 15, WHO has reported 10 cases (8 of them laboratory-confirmed), including 3 deaths.

Hantaviruses cause two syndromes. Hantaviruses found in the Western Hemisphere are often referred to as New World hantaviruses and can cause HPS. Several New World hantaviruses that do not spread person to person are endemic in the United States. These include Sin Nombre virus, the virus mostly commonly associated with U.S. HPS cases. In addition to HPS, hantaviruses can cause other clinically significant illness. Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is a group of clinically similar illnesses that affect the kidneys. HFRS is caused by another group of hantaviruses, often referred to as Old World hantaviruses, that are found mostly in Europe and Asia. However, Seoul virus, a type of hantavirus that causes HFRS, is found worldwide, including in the United States. Non-HPS hantavirus infection can also occur, in which patients experience non-specific viral symptoms without cardio-pulmonary symptoms.

Hantavirus infections can occur year-round but are reported more frequently during the spring and summer months when rodent populations increase and people may have greater exposure to rodent-infested environments such as cabins, sheds, campsites, and homes. The most common hantavirus that causes HPS in the United States is spread by the deer mouse. Andes virus is spread primarily by the long-tailed pygmy rice rat (Oligoryzomys longicaudatus).

Recommendations for Clinicians

Consider Andes virus infection in patients who

(1) have symptoms compatible with hantavirus infection,

AND

(2) were aboard the M/V Hondius cruise ship OR had direct contact with someone associated with the M/V Hondius Andes virus outbreak.

Contact yourstate, tribal, local, or territorial health department immediately to report a suspected Andes virus case and for assistance with diagnostic testing for Andes virus.

Know that assays designed to specifically detect Andes virus may not detect other New World hantaviruses endemic in the United States.

Consider infection with other New World hantaviruses in patients who

(1) have symptoms compatible with hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) or non-HPS hantavirus infection,

AND

(2) have a history of known or suspected exposure to sylvatic rodents or rodent excreta (e.g., urine, droppings, or nesting materials).

Consider infection with Old World hantaviruses in patients who

(1) have symptoms consistent with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS),

AND

(2) have a history of known or suspected exposure to sylvatic rodents or rodent excreta (e.g., urine, droppings, or nesting materials).

Test for non-Andes hantavirus in patients who have symptoms compatible with hantavirus infection and have a history of rodent exposure, but who are not associated with the M/V Hondius Andes virus outbreak.

Consult with CDC's Viral Special Pathogens Branch (VSPB) to discuss hantavirus diagnostic testing by calling the CDC Emergency Operations Center at 770-488-7100 and requesting VSPB's on-call epidemiologist. VSPB cannot accept specimens without prior consultation.

(Continue . . . )

As we discussed last year, in Two Recent Studies On the Host Range of Hantaviruses In the United States, hantavirus infections are likely under reported in this country.

Credit CDC

Most Hantavirus cases are sporadic, but occasionally we see clusters. Exposure is often linked to cleaning out sheds and garages in the late spring and summer when mouse activity is high. The CDC has a 20-page PDF guide on reducing exposure risks.



For some past blogs on Hantaviruses, you may wish to revisit:

Argentina's Growing Hantavirus Outbreak

MMWR: A Little Bit Of Seoul (Virus)

Hantaviruses: Of Mice And Men

MMWR: Yosemite Hantavirus

https://afludiary.blogspot.com/2026/05/cdc-han-00529-2026-hantavirus-outbreak.html