WHO confirms 10 global hantavirus cases, Hondius crew remain symptom-free | World Health Organization News
World Health Organization Lowers Hantavirus Case Count, Affirms Low Risk
Published May 15, 2026
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a total of 10 confirmed global cases of hantavirus, adjusting its previous count of 11. This revision follows the confirmation that one individual—initially thought to be infected—has tested negative.
Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO’s director for epidemic and pandemic preparedness, stated on Friday that the earlier figure included a case with an inconclusive test. “We’ve had further confirmation from the United States that person was negative,” she clarified.
Among the reported cases, eight are laboratory confirmed, while two are classified as probable. The outbreak originated aboard the MV Hondius, a Dutch luxury cruise ship that departed from Argentina for a polar expedition. Three deaths have occurred since the outbreak began.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that the overall risk to the global population remains low. He confirmed that the captain and the ship’s 26-member crew continue to be monitored and that there are currently no symptomatic individuals onboard. However, Tedros noted that due to the hantavirus’s lengthy incubation period—up to six weeks—additional cases may emerge as passengers return home.
Passengers will be quarantined and tested, either in specialized facilities or at home, according to Tedros.
In addressing concerns about the outbreak’s trajectory, he stated, “This does not mean the outbreak is expanding; it shows that the control measures are working, that laboratory testing is ongoing, and that people are being cared for with support from their governments.”
Kerkhove added that the remains of a deceased passenger remain on board. The WHO is collaborating with the ship’s crew to ensure proper handling. Additionally, experts in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay are being consulted to better understand the outbreak.
Hantaviruses are primarily transmitted through infected rodents, though the Andes virus responsible for this outbreak can also spread between humans in enclosed settings through prolonged close contact.
Common symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal issues, which typically appear one to eight weeks post-exposure. In severe cases, patients may experience rapid respiratory distress and fluid accumulation in the lungs. Currently, there are no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments, and care is primarily supportive.
