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

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Hantavirus: The Malbrán Institute and the US CDC will carry out wild rodent capture operations in Mendoza

During the week of June 8-12, work will be carried out in areas near Malargüe to detect the possible circulation of hantavirus in natural reservoirs, as part of the epidemiological investigation of the outbreak detected on the MV Hondius cruise ship.

June 5, 2026

As part of the epidemiological investigation of the hantavirus outbreak detected on the MV Hondius cruise ship, specialists from the Molecular Biology Service of ANLIS Malbrán, together with biologists from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the United States , will carry out a health operation in the city of Malargüe, Mendoza, between June 8 and 12 .

The activities, which will be carried out with specialists from the Directorate of Epidemiology, Quality and Management Control of the Ministry of Health and Sports of Mendoza, will include tasks of capturing wild rodents and epidemiological studies aimed at detecting the possible circulation of the virus in natural reservoirs.

As a preliminary step to the start of fieldwork, the director of ANLIS Malbrán, Dr. Claudia Perandones , led a meeting this Friday with the director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Argentina, Dr. Rachel Smith , and the members of the technical teams who will participate in the operation. During the meeting, aspects related to planning and final guidelines for the tasks were discussed.

Also participating from ANLIS Malbrán were Dr. Daniel Cisterna, director of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (INEI); Dr. Alexis Edelstein, director of the Central Operational Unit for Biological Containment (UOCCB); Dr. Carla Bellomo, from the Molecular Biology Service of INEI; and Dr. Carlos Giovacchini, head of the Epidemiology Department of INEI. Representing the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were Yoshinori Nakazawa and James Graziano.



The sites were selected based on ecological and ecoepidemiological criteria related to the distribution and habits of the main species of public health concern , including Oligoryzomys longicaudatus , Abrothrix hirta , and Abrothrix olivacea , which are associated with hantavirus transmission in natural environments. Areas with low human traffic will also be prioritized to ensure public safety and facilitate fieldwork.

As part of the operation, teams will conduct reconnaissance patrols and set up Sherman traps , which will remain active overnight, the period of greatest activity for these species. Subsequently, each capture point will be surveyed, and any specimens obtained will be transferred to a processing center equipped under strict biosecurity protocols.

For these tasks, the professionals will use highly complex personal protective equipment . They will also have specialized materials for collecting biological samples and morphologically characterizing the different rodent species that may be found in the area.



Initial processing will take place in a field laboratory, where species identification and blood and tissue collection will be performed under strict biosafety protocols . Subsequently, the obtained material will be packaged in biosafety containers and temporarily stored in local institutions until its transfer to the ANLIS Malbrán National Reference Laboratory for Hantavirus for specialized analysis .

Samples obtained in Ushuaia

The Molecular Biology Service team at ANLIS Malbrán continues its specific analyses of samples obtained from areas on the outskirts of Ushuaia and within Tierra del Fuego National Park . The results will provide key information for the epidemiological study and investigation of the outbreak.

https://www.argentina.gob.ar/noticia...-de-captura-de

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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 2 June 2026 — See all updates



Latest update

UKHSA continues to work closely with partners in response to the hantavirus outbreak.

Following a review of evidence, the self-isolation period for contacts of confirmed Andes hantavirus cases in the UK has now been reduced to 42 days. This aligns with WHO guidance. Those isolating in the UK have been informed.

UKHSA’s initial 45-day approach was based on early risk assessment and was adopted until further epidemiological information emerged on the outbreak strain. Subsequent WHO guidance reduced this to a 42-day isolation period, which has now been adopted by most countries, including the UK.

Professor Robin May, Chief Scientific Officer at UKHSA, said:

Following a review of the evidence on Andes hantavirus, I am pleased to say that the isolation period for contacts in the UK has now been reduced to 42 days in line with WHO guidance.

We know this has been a challenging time for the passengers, crew and other contacts and we want to express our gratitude to everyone for their cooperation throughout.

Our teams will continue to work closely with local authorities and the NHS to ensure everyone affected by this outbreak has the necessary support in place.

...

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

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France -

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Hantavirus: Hospitalized for three weeks, 22 French contact cases will be able to return home this Saturday

Among the 22 former passengers of one of the two flights taken by the same patient, some had challenged their isolation in court. The French woman herself remains in stable condition in intensive care.

By Nicolas Berrod
June 4 , 2026 at 7:43 PM , updated June 4, 2026 at 7:51 PM

Finally! Cut off from their surroundings and hospitalized for three weeks in different cities across the country, 22 French citizens will be able to return home this Saturday and resume a normal life, the Ministry of Health has announced. They are among our 26 compatriots who were close contacts of at least one person infected with the Andean hantavirus , all of whom have been isolated for three weeks in order to be tested and monitored… despite the absence of symptoms and consistently negative results.

These first 22 released, including four children and teenagers, are distributed as follows: eight passengers from a Saint Helena-Johannesburg flight, taken by a symptomatic Dutch woman on April 25; and 14 others from a Johannesburg-Amsterdam flight, in which this same woman had "briefly" boarded, on the same day.

If any of these 22 French people had been infected on that occasion, we would know by now. This Saturday will mark 42 days, the maximum estimated time between infection and the onset of symptoms, since that last contact deemed "at risk" with a sick person.

Their return home will be "coordinated by the Regional Health Agencies (ARS) in conjunction with the Health Crisis Centre of the Ministry of Health," the latter indicates.

A hardened initial protocol

Initially, the protocol announced by the government on Sunday, May 10, simply encouraged passengers on these two flights to limit their social interactions. But barely 24 hours later, there was a complete change of approach: isolation in the hospital for everyone, "without exception," for at least 15 days and up to 42 days from the last contact.

Some have tried, unsuccessfully, to challenge this measure in court. The four other close contacts are expected to remain hospitalized until at least June 21. These are the four cruise passengers who came into contact with several infected individuals aboard the MV Hondius, and for whom the last high-risk contact was on May 10, the day the ship disembarked in the Canary Islands.

A fifth passenger, finally, became symptomatic during repatriation to France the same day. Testing positive upon arrival in Paris, she remains in stable condition in intensive care.

https://www.leparisien.fr/societe/sante/hantavirus-hospitalises-depuis-trois-semaines-22-cas-contact-vont-pouvoir-rentrer-chez-eux-ce-samedi-04-06-2026-AGLHPWESLNADTK7YZI75HUQB34.php

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Hantavirus monitoring updates
...

Tuesday, June 2, 2026

After spending three weeks at the National Quarantine Unit (NQU) at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, five former passengers from the MV Hondius have returned to their home states for continued monitoring for the next 21 days under the jurisdiction of their local and state public health departments. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requested the individuals from the cruise ship associated with a Hantavirus remain at the NQU through Sunday, May 31.

Travel for the former passengers was coordinated through the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) and each passenger’s local and state health department. The individuals did not travel commercially, and appropriate biocontainment measures were in place during their transport. The CDC has also been coordinating with impacted states on requirements for the passengers to continue self-monitoring at their homes.

Because symptoms of Hantavirus can take up to 42 days to appear, all 18 of the former passengers were strongly encouraged to complete the entire period at the NQU. Thirteen of the passengers remain in Omaha for monitoring.

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.

...

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

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Update from Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald on New York Residents Returning from the MV Hondius Cruise Ship

Albany, N.Y. (May 29, 2026) - "Last month, three New York residents who were passengers on the MV Hondius cruise ship arrived in Nebraska for screening and monitoring. New York State has been informed that, of those three, one is remaining in Nebraska to complete their 42-day monitoring period, while the other two are expected to return to New York next week. These two individuals will be transported via non-commercial flights to New York State to complete the remainder of their 42-day monitoring and quarantine period – which ends June 22 – in residences located outside of New York City. Out of respect for their privacy, the Department will not provide any additional information about their identity or location.

"The Department continues to work in close coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health partners on the monitoring program for these two individuals. Under protocols established to monitor their health and protect the community, a quarantine order is in place for those two individuals. They have agreed and are required to remain at their residences, have no contact with other people, and participate in daily monitoring activities conducted by local health officials. Plans are in place to transport them to appropriate medical facilities if they develop symptoms or need any other medical care.

"At this point, it is important to emphasize that there is no immediate risk to the public. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as needed."

The latest information on this outbreak can be found at www.health.ny.gov/hantavirus.

https://www.health.ny.gov/press/releases/2026/2026-05-29_update.htm

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May 30, 2026
News
Reading time: 1 min

Cleaning and disinfection of ship Hondius completed

From a public health perspective, there are no longer any obstacles to putting the ship Hondius into operation. This is evident from the final inspection of the ship on Friday, May 29. During this targeted inspection, infection prevention experts from the GGD Rotterdam-Rijnmond determined that the Hondius has been effectively cleaned and that the disinfection has been completed in accordance with the established guidelines.

During a previous inspection, following the initial cleaning and disinfection of the ship, the Municipal Health Service (GGD) advised carrying out an additional cleaning round. The additional cleaning work has been carried out and approved by the Municipal Health Service.

https://www.ggdrotterdamrijnmond.nl/reiniging-en-desinfectie-schip-hondius-afgerond

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38 Filipinos in hantavirus quarantine in good condition; none infected

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora

May 29, 2026, 6:18 pm


MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) said Friday the 38 Filipinos from the hantavirus-stricken MV Hondius currently undergoing quarantine in the Netherlands are all in good condition, and none has been found infected.

Speaking at a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview, DOH Undersecretary Albert Domingo said Health Secretary Ted Herbosa received the updates from no less than the Netherlands Health Minister Sophie Hermans on the sidelines of the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, this month.

“Ni isa sa mga 38 ay (hindi) dinapuan, awa ng Diyos at tumatakbo lamang hanggang middle of June iyong quarantine nila (None of the 38 were infected, thank God, and their quarantine will only be until mid-June),” he said.

“Dahil sa kooperasyon sa World Health Organization at saka sa Netherlands at iba pang bansa ay naiiwasan natin na maapektuhan ang ating mga kababayan (Because of our cooperation with the World Health Organization, the Netherlands, and other countries, we are able to ensure our nationals are not affected by such cases).”

Domingo said some of the crew members might continue with their employment once they complete their quarantine, while others are expected to request repatriation.

The 38 arrived in the Netherlands in the middle of May to undergo a required six-week quarantine.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on May 28 that at least three additional confirmed cases of hantavirus were recorded in Canada, the Netherlands, and Spain following the outbreak linked to the MV Hondius.

To date, there are 13 confirmed cases of hantavirus infection from the ship, including three deaths.

Hantavirus, according to the WHO, "are zoonotic viruses that naturally infect rodents and are occasionally transmitted to humans."

it said infection in people can result in severe illness and often death, although the diseases vary by type of virus and geographical location.

The latest outbreak, which occurred in April among passengers of the Dutch expedition cruise ship MV Hondius, was traced to the Andes hantavirus, a strain capable of human-to-human transmission.

The WHO said the risk posed by the outbreak to the global population is currently “low,” but it will continue to monitor the situation. (PNA)

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1276155

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UKHSA update on the hantavirus cruise ship outbreak
Last updated 26 May 2026


Latest update

Last week, we confirmed that 10 individuals had left Arrowe Park. An additional 6 individuals left Arrowe Park over the weekend and returned home or to other suitable accommodation to complete their 45-day isolation period. The UK government has also supported the relocation of a British national who was in hospital in the Netherlands, having been previously confirmed to have hantavirus.

Now that the individual has returned to England, UKHSA will detail this case in its statistical release tomorrow, Wednesday 27 May. It’s important to be aware that this is not a new case and was previously confirmed by WHO on 7 May. The individual was medically evacuated and is being offered full support with strict infection prevention and control measures in place. The risk to the general public remains very low.

Dr Meera Chand, Deputy Director at UKHSA, said:

We have worked closely with FCDO and the Dutch authorities to ensure the safe return of a British national who was previously confirmed to have hantavirus and has been receiving care in the Netherlands. It’s important to stress that this is an existing case and the wider risk to the general public remains very low.

As people continue with their isolation period, UKHSA will continue to work with our partners locally, nationally and internationally to ensure everyone has the necessary support in place.

We would like to again stress our thanks and gratitude to everyone at Arrowe Park who has worked so hard during this challenging time.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/u...-ship-outbreak

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Update from Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald on New York Residents Returning from the MV Hondius Cruise Ship

Albany, N.Y. (May 29, 2026) - "Last month, three New York residents who were passengers on the MV Hondius cruise ship arrived in Nebraska for screening and monitoring. New York State has been informed that, of those three, one is remaining in Nebraska to complete their 42-day monitoring period, while the other two are expected to return to New York next week. These two individuals will be transported via non-commercial flights to New York State to complete the remainder of their 42-day monitoring and quarantine period – which ends June 22 – in residences located outside of New York City. Out of respect for their privacy, the Department will not provide any additional information about their identity or location.

"The Department continues to work in close coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health partners on the monitoring program for these two individuals. Under protocols established to monitor their health and protect the community, a quarantine order is in place for those two individuals. They have agreed and are required to remain at their residences, have no contact with other people, and participate in daily monitoring activities conducted by local health officials. Plans are in place to transport them to appropriate medical facilities if they develop symptoms or need any other medical care.

"At this point, it is important to emphasize that there is no immediate risk to the public. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as needed."

The latest information on this outbreak can be found at www.health.ny.gov/hantavirus.

https://health.ny.gov/press/releases/2026/2026-05-29_update.htm

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Hantavirus outbreak linked to cruise ship travel, Multi-locations

28 May 2026

Situation at a glance

This is the fourth Disease Outbreak News report on the Andes hantavirus outbreak linked to cruise ship travel, following the notification to the World Health Organization (WHO) on 2 May 2026 of severe respiratory illness cases aboard M/V Hondius, a cruise ship. Since the last DON was published on 13 May, three additional confirmed cases were reported, from Canada, the Netherlands, and Spain. The previously reported inconclusive case from the United States of America was subsequently determined to be negative following further laboratory testing and has been removed from the total case count. All cases to date have been passengers or crew members on the ship. As of 27 May, a total of 13 cases, including three deaths, have been reported (case fatality ratio 23%). Eleven cases have been laboratory-confirmed for Andes virus (ANDV) infection, and two are probable cases. Given the long incubation period of up to six weeks, it is not unexpected that cases continue to be reported until the end of the six weeks since last exposure. Through the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) channels, National IHR Focal Points (NFPs) have all been informed and are supporting international contact tracing and monitoring efforts. WHO has assessed the risk posed by this event to the global population as low and will continue to monitor the epidemiological situation and update the risk assessment as needed.

Description of the situation


On 2 May 2026, WHO received notification from the IHR NFP of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (hereafter referred to as the United Kingdom) regarding a cluster of severe acute respiratory illness, including two deaths and one critically ill passenger, aboard the Netherlands-flagged cruise ship M/V Hondius.

As of 27 May, a total of 13 cases (eleven confirmed and two probable cases), including three deaths (two confirmed and one probable), have been reported. Since the last Disease Outbreak News was published on 13 May, three additional confirmed cases have been reported among passengers or crew members, one each from Canada, the Netherlands, and Spain. The case in Canada developed symptoms during contact follow-up, whereas the cases in the Netherlands and Spain were identified through routine weekly testing of high-risk contacts during follow-up. The previously reported inconclusive case from the United States of America was subsequently determined to be negative following further laboratory testing and has been removed from the total count on 15 May. All confirmed cases are among people who travelled onboard the M/V Hondius.

Figure 1. Epidemiological curve of Andes hantavirus cases (n = 13) reported to WHO as of 27 May 2026, 17:00.



Based on currently available information, the working hypothesis is that the first case acquired the infection prior to boarding the cruise, through exposure on land. Investigations are ongoing to elucidate the potential circumstances of exposure and the source of the outbreak, in collaboration with authorities in Argentina and Chile, however, the time between the individual’s visit to Chile and the onset of symptoms exceeds the maximum incubation period. Therefore, based on the information currently available, exposure in Chile can be ruled out. Current evidence suggests subsequent human-to-human transmission onboard the ship. This is also supported by a preliminary analysis of the sequences, which show a near-identical sequence from different cases.^[1]


This outbreak is being managed through a coordinated international response. This includes comprehensive epidemiological investigations, case isolation and clinical management, medical evacuations, laboratory testing, and international contact tracing, as well as quarantine and monitoring measures. Recommendations are subject to change as new epidemiological and laboratory evidence becomes available, including findings from genetic sequencing.


Follow-up and contact tracing for all contacts of hantavirus cases linked to the cruise ship is ongoing. This includes passengers who disembarked in Saint Helena, United Kingdom, on 24 April; Ascension, United Kingdom, on 27 April; Praia, Cabo Verde, on 6 May; and Tenerife, Spain, on 10 and 11 May, the remaining 25 crew members and the two healthcare workers from the Netherlands who disembarked in the Netherlands on 18 May and 23 May. Passengers who travelled on flights who may have had exposure to subsequently confirmed cases have been identified and contacted.


High-risk contacts are being quarantined and monitored by local health authorities either in their respective countries or in the ship’s flag country, the Netherlands, or third countries (Table 1). As of 22 May 2026, more than 600 contacts, including 53% high-risk and 47% low-risk contacts, have been identified across 32 countries, territories and areas, and are either under close monitoring or self-monitoring in line with the updated guidance on management of contacts of Andes virus (ANDV) cases from the MV Hondius cruise ship published on 17 May.

Table 1. Contacts being traced for the Andes hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship reported to WHO as of 25 May 2026, 17:00.

Epidemiology


Hantavirus disease is a zoonotic viral disease caused by hantaviruses of the genus Orthohantavirus, family Hantaviridae, order Bunyavirales. More than 20 viral species have been identified within this genus.


Human hantavirus infection is primarily acquired through contact with the urine, faeces, or saliva of certain species of (specific) infected rodents, or by touching contaminated surfaces. Exposure typically occurs during activities such as cleaning buildings with rodent infestations, though it may also occur during routine activities in heavily infested areas. Human cases are most commonly reported in rural settings, such as forests, fields, and farms, where rodents are present, and opportunities for exposure are greater.


Human-to-human transmission has currently only been reported for hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) associated with Andes virus infection. Andes virus (ANDV) is endemic in South America, with confirmed circulation and human cases reported primarily in Argentina and Chile, and additional cases and related strains identified in Uruguay, southern Brazil, and Paraguay.


Andes virus transmission between humans


Based on the available information and the existing observations of the current outbreak, limited human-to-human transmission of ANDV is known to occur. However, no large-scale human-to-human outbreaks have been observed historically,^[2] suggesting a low probability of transmission per contact. ANDV circulates in specific species of rodents in the Americas, and there have been many sporadic cases reported in Argentina and Chile that have not led to onward transmission.^[3] Clusters of human cases have been reported in multiple past outbreaks and have been typically associated with close and prolonged interactions, often in shared indoor environments such as households. The largest reported outbreak of ANDV was reported in Argentina in 2018-2019,^[2] where high viral titres in combination with attendance at large social gatherings or extensive contacts among people were associated with higher transmission. While the available evidence suggests that there are multiple modes of transmission that occur with ANDV, the probability of onward transmission between humans remains low.

In this recent outbreak of ANDV infection reported on a cruise ship, human-to-human transmission has also occurred. Considering the ongoing epidemiological studies and environmental sampling after the disembarkation of all passengers from MV Hondius, the exact mode(s) through which human-to-human transmission occurred and their relative contributions are yet to be fully understood.

Therefore, at present, WHO is operating under the assumption that ANDV transmission:

• may include contact with an infected individual or contaminated surfaces,
• and/or through-the-air transmission (via direct deposition of infectious respiratory particles onto exposed facial mucosal surfaces--mouth, nose or eyes)
• and/or airborne transmission (via inhalation of infectious respiratory particles).

The virus does not exhibit transmission dynamics consistent with highly transmissible airborne pathogens (such as measles).

This information is up to date as of 27 May 2026. It will be updated as new evidence becomes available and the understanding of transmission evolves.


Using data from the previously documented human-to-human outbreaks in Argentina ^[2] and the 13 cases so far recorded from the cruise ship outbreak, WHO estimates that the mean incubation period is 22 days, corresponding to a probability of safe release from quarantine of 96% at 42 days, reducing to 91% at 35 days. This reaffirms WHO’s recommendation of 42 days of quarantine for high-risk contacts and self-monitoring for low-risk contacts.

Using case incidence data from the ANDV outbreak associated with the cruise ship, the effective reproduction number (Rt) for this outbreak as of 22 May is estimated to be 0.7, where anything less than 1.0 indicates that the spread of disease is declining.

Public health response


Authorities from States Parties managing cases and/or contacts, WHO, and partners have initiated coordinated response measures, including:

• Ongoing engagement between WHO and the IHR NFPs of countries managing cases and/or contacts to ensure timely information sharing and coordination of response actions.
• International contact tracing and follow up of contacts is ongoing.
• WHO is requesting regular information sharing and periodic updates from States Parties through IHR channels regarding contact monitoring and the health status of high-risk contacts.
• Epidemiological investigations continue to better define epidemiological links between cases and exposure factors on the ship, as well as to try to understand the potential source of exposure.
• WHO has developed and published specific technical guidance documents to support response to the event, including:
  • Technical guidance on the management of hantavirus onboard ships was shared with States Parties through IHR channels
  • Technical note for the disembarkation and onward management of passengers and crew in the context of an Andes-virus-associated cluster;
  • Management of contacts of Andes Virus (ANDV) cases from the MV Hondius cruise ship

• IHR NFPs of affected countries have been in contact about passenger and crew information through established IHR channels for those who were on the ship, as well as on planes where a known case was on board. Nearly 1000 communications have occurred through these established channels.
• Risk communication coordination and support are being provided to ensure sharing of regular, timely and evidence-based information. WHO has activated three-level coordination and is supporting national authorities in implementing risk-based, evidence-informed public health measures in accordance with the provisions of the IHR and related WHO technical guidance documents.
• WHO regularly convenes expert calls across laboratory, clinical management, epidemiology, infection prevention and control (IPC), and border health and points of entry domains to facilitate timely experience sharing and coordinated expert support.
• WHO has supported the streamlining and development of research protocols on the natural clinical history in collaboration with national partner institutions and planned a hantavirus scientific consultation on medical countermeasures.

WHO risk assessment


WHO continues to assess the risk for passengers and crew who were onboard the cruise ship as moderate, as individuals exposed prior to the implementation of control measures may still develop illness during the incubation period and should therefore be closely monitored.

The risk at the global level is assessed as low for the following reasons:

• Andes virus has demonstrated limited human-to-human transmission in previous outbreaks, typically occurring among close contacts and within household settings, generally requiring prolonged close exposure. Transmission can be contained through early detection, isolation of cases, clinical management, and contact management. However, the ship environment presented an increased risk due to close living quarters, shared indoor spaces, prolonged exposure, and frequent interpersonal interactions, all of which likely facilitated transmission.
• Human Pulmonary Syndrome caused by hantaviruses in the Americas, including Andes virus, can have a high case fatality ratio, reaching 40-50%, particularly among elderly individuals and those with co-morbidities. The average age of passengers on board the ship was 65 years old.
• Investigations on the travel history and potential exposures of the first case in the Southern Cone subregion of the Americas are ongoing and suggest possible exposure to rodents during recreational activities. Viral sequencing analyses are also ongoing and are comparing the ANDV strain associated with this outbreak with strains circulating in Argentina and Chile, where the disease is enzootic. The preliminary sequencing analysis for the cases indicates a high degree of genetic similarity amongst sequenced cases —showing no more than one single nucleotide polymorphisms difference per individual – which strongly indicates that the outbreak likely arose from a single zoonotic spillover event, or from a very small number of closely related spillover events.^[1]
• Additional cases may occur among individuals exposed before implementation of containment measures. However, the current response, including quarantine for those who have left the ship and rapid isolation of any new suspect cases and the monitoring of contacts, is expected to limit the risk of further spread.
• As there is no specific antiviral treatment for HPS, suspected cases require prompt transfer to an adequately equipped emergency department or intensive care unit, where available, for close monitoring and supportive management to improve chances of recovery. Consequently, for remote areas, rapid transfer to a well-resourced healthcare facility is required, which may be challenging under the current conditions.

For the general public, including people not exposed on board the ship or through close contact with a confirmed case, the overall probability of infection remains low. Current evidence indicates that human-to-human transmission occurs through close and prolonged contact, and can be effectively limited through early detection, isolation of cases, and contact tracing.

WHO advice


WHO advises States Parties involved in this event to continue coordinated public health management efforts related to the management of cases and contacts associated with the affected ship and flights, as well as in countries where cases and/or contacts have been identified. WHO has advised and continues to advise a precautionary approach for management of the outbreak related to the ship, with focus on total containment to minimize the onward risk of transmission to other persons. This strategic decision is guided by:

• To date, most of the evidence of human-to-human transmission shows it has required prolonged close exposure, although it is possible that some highly infectious individuals could infect others through a lower degree of exposure.
• Mode(s) of transmission and which mode is dominant if multiple routes of transmission exist are still uncertain.
• Infection is a result of not only exposure, but the setting and duration where exposure has taken place, how infectious the infected person is, and whether personal protective equipment is used.
• Although the probability of infection is uncertain, if infection occurs, it can be severe. Currently, there is no specific treatment available and severe disease requires advanced critical care.
• There is a relatively low burden of additional infection prevention and control measures.

At this time, WHO does not recommend any changes to routine activities for the general public. People who were on board the affected ship, or who have had close contact with a confirmed case, should follow national health advice. Guidance may be updated as further evidence becomes available.


Recommendations remain dynamic and will be updated as additional epidemiological and laboratory evidence, including genetic sequencing data, becomes available.


Coordination

• WHO advises States Parties involved in this event to continue public health coordination related to the management of cases and contacts in countries where they are present or expected to return, as well as of affected conveyances, as applicable and in close coordination with travel and transport authorities, conveyance operators, and other relevant stakeholders at points of entry.
• Coordination should ensure the implementation of risk-based, evidence-informed public health measures.

Surveillance

• Ongoing epidemiological investigations include detection, investigation, and reporting of suspected cases, as well as contact tracing and monitoring.
• As a precautionary measure, high-risk contacts should undergo active monitoring and home or facility quarantine for 42 days following their last exposure.
• Current evidence does not support routine laboratory testing or quarantine of low-risk contacts; instead, they should undertake passive self-monitoring and seek medical evaluation if symptoms develop.
• Contact tracing and listing should utilize all available information sources, including interviews and relevant conveyance-related documentation (passenger manifests, passenger locator forms, and other relevant activity logs), to ensure completeness.
• Early recognition and prompt isolation of suspected cases remain critical to reduce further transmission.

Laboratory

• Laboratory testing of suspected cases should be conducted as part of the outbreak response.
• Laboratory investigations may include molecular detection, serology, and sequencing to support case confirmation and better understand the outbreak.
• Recommendations on laboratory approaches will continue to evolve as new evidence becomes available.

Case management

• Early identification, prompt isolation, and clinical evaluation of suspected cases are essential.
• When HPS is suspected, patients should be promptly referred for close monitoring and supportive care, including admission to emergency or intensive care settings when needed.
• Clinical management is primarily supportive and may include antipyretics, careful fluid management, hemodynamic monitoring, respiratory support, and escalation to advanced interventions for severe cases.
• Mechanical ventilation, vasopressors, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation^[4] (ECMO), or dialysis may be required for severe disease.
• Antibiotics are not routinely indicated for confirmed hantavirus infection, but may be used empirically if bacterial infection cannot be ruled out or is suspected.
• Currently, there is no approved specific antiviral treatment for HPS.

Infection Prevention and Control

• Suspected or confirmed cases should be isolated in a single, well-ventilated room.
• Standard precautions* should be applied at all times for all patients, including hand hygiene, environmental cleaning, and appropriate waste management, outlined in the interim guidance published on 8 May
• Transmission-based precautions should be implemented in addition to standard precautions. Health and care workers should use appropriate personal protective equipment, including respirators, eye protection, gowns, and gloves.
• Suspected or confirmed cases should be isolated in a single, well-ventilated room.
• Transmission-based precautions should be implemented in addition to standard precautions.
• Hand hygiene should be performed before and after the use of PPE.
• Waste from suspected or confirmed cases should be managed as infectious waste.
• Airborne precautions should be applied during aerosol-generating procedures.
• The duration of standard and transmission-based precautions should be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE)

• Communication strategies should prioritize transparent, timely, and culturally appropriate information to affected individuals and the general public.
• Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) efforts should provide clear, consistent, and actionable information, including explanations of the public health measures being implemented.
• Messaging should address public concerns regarding transmissibility, severity, and international travel, and clarify recommended actions for different population groups.
• Public health awareness should focus on early detection, timely healthcare seeking, and reducing exposure risks, including occupational and environmental exposures.
• RCCE activities should be integrated throughout all phases of the response and align with broader public health measures.
• Environmental management strategies, including rodent control, should be included as part of prevention efforts.

Based on the current information available on this event, WHO advises against the application of any travel or trade restrictions beyond the restriction of movement of identified high-risk contacts.


*Standard precautions refer to a set of practices that are applied to the care of patients, regardless of the state of infection (suspicion or confirmation), in any place where health services are provided. These practices aim to protect both healthcare professionals and patients and include hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette, safe handling of sharps materials, safe injection practices, use of sterile instruments and equipment and cleaning of hospital environments and the environment. Adapted from “Standard precautions for the prevention and control of infections: aide-memoire”- WHO, 2022. Available at https://www.who.int/publications/i/i...IHS-IPC-2022.1
...

https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2026-DON604

[Pathfinder]

Prime Minister of France:


10:37 AM · May 26, 2026

[Pathfinder]

12:54 AM · May 27, 2026

[Pathfinder]

Spain MoH



12:36 PM · May 25, 2026

[Pathfinder]

2:16 PM · May 24, 2026

[Pathfinder]

Speaking Remarks for the Chief Public Health Officer

From: Public Health Agency of Canada

Speech

Ebola Disease and Hantavirus Technical Briefing

May 22, 2026
1:00pm EST
...

Hantavirus Update

I will now turn briefly to the situation regarding Andes hantavirus.

Canada confirmed a case of Andes hantavirus linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship earlier this month. At this time, there have been no additional cases identified in Canada beyond the initial confirmed case in British Columbia, and all high-risk contacts continue to be monitored by local public health authorities.

The overall risk to the general population in Canada remains low at this time.

We continue to take a precautionary approach given the severity of this virus, while recognizing that person-to-person transmission of Andes hantavirus is rare and typically requires close, prolonged contact with someone who is symptomatic.

Our thoughts are with the individual in hospital in British Columbia and their family. We thank our public health colleagues and the clinical team for the excellent care and support they are providing.
...

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/news/2026/05/speaking-remarks-for-the-chief-public-health-officer0.html