Live Outbreak Tracker · WHO Risk: LOW

2026 Hantavirus
Outbreak

Since First Symptom Onset — Apr 28, 2026
00 Days
:
00 Hrs
:
00 Min
:
00 Sec
8
Total Cases
3
Deaths
13
Countries
3
Suspected
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Interactive Map

2026 Case Map

One map highlighting countries and territories with confirmed or suspected cases. Tap a marker to view country details.

Country Details
Tap a marker to open the Case File
High Severity
Medium Severity
Monitoring
No 2026 Case
Newest First

Latest Outbreak News

Breaking coverage from WHO, CDC, UKHSA and international news organizations.

OfficialMay 8, 2026
17 Americans Among Passengers to Quarantine in Nebraska for Hantavirus
NBC News
OfficialMay 7, 2026
Hantavirus Cluster Linked to Cruise Ship Travel, Multi-country — WHO
World Health Organization
UpdateMay 7, 2026
CDC Provides Update on Hantavirus Outbreak Linked to M/V Hondius Cruise Ship
CDC
UpdateMay 6, 2026
U.S. Sends Plane with CDC Staff to Retrieve Passengers from Cruise Ship
CBS News
UpdateMay 7, 2026
Spain Readies for Evacuations as Hantavirus-Hit Cruise Ship Heads for Canary Islands
AP News
GuidanceMay 6, 2026
What to Know About the Hantavirus Outbreak on an Atlantic Cruise Ship
New York Times
Cruise-linked · Newest First

2026 Timeline

Chronological record sourced from WHO Disease Outbreak News and official health agencies.

2026-05-08
WHO update: 5 confirmed Andes hantavirus and 3 suspected
WHO updated 8 cluster cases. Public risk remains low. UKHSA reported a third British national with suspected infection. CDC raised travel response to level 3.
WHO · UKHSA · CDC
2026-05-07
Three patients evacuated and ship sails for Spain
Three sick passengers were evacuated for treatment. Ship continued north toward the Canary Islands while contact tracing expanded across 13 countries.
AP News · Reuters
2026-05-06
International evacuation and monitoring reports
Wire services reported continuing evacuations and additional returned passenger symptom monitoring in Europe. US sent CDC staff by plane to assist.
Reuters · ECDC
2026-05-04
WHO public outbreak update — risk assessed LOW
WHO reported 7 cases: 2 confirmed, 5 suspected, 3 deaths, 1 critical patient, and 3 mild cases while ship was moored off Cabo Verde.
WHO DON#99
2026-05-02
WHO receives notification from UK focal point
The United Kingdom focal point notified WHO of a severe acute respiratory illness cluster aboard the cruise ship.
WHO DON#99
2026-04-30
ICU patient evacuated to South Africa
Case 3 was medically evacuated from Ascension to South Africa and later confirmed PCR-positive for hantavirus while in ICU.
WHO DON#99
2026-04-28
Confirmed fatal case reaches South Africa
Case 2 deteriorated in transit to Johannesburg and died on arrival. WHO later confirmed PCR-positive hantavirus result.
WHO DON#99
2026-04-24
Shore excursion at St. Helena — suspected exposure
Passengers disembarked for a bird-watching excursion. Contact with rodent-infested environments is identified as the probable hantavirus exposure event for the entire cluster.
WHO DON#99 · Reuters
Medical Reference

Public Health Facts

Evidence-based information about hantavirus — transmission, symptoms, and prevention.

🦠
What Hantaviruses Are
Hantaviruses are rodent-borne zoonotic viruses. Only some species cause human disease. The Andes virus — found in South America — is the strain suspected in the 2026 MV Hondius outbreak.
🌬️
Main Route of Infection
People are primarily infected by inhaling aerosols from infected rodent droppings, urine, or saliva. Touching contaminated surfaces then touching eyes, nose, or mouth can also transmit the virus.
👥
Human-to-Human Transmission
WHO and CDC state documented human-to-human transmission is limited to the Andes virus strain in the Americas. This is the primary reason WHO assessed global risk as LOW.
🫁
Clinical Syndromes
In the Americas: Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome (HCPS). In Europe and Asia: Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS). Both can be life-threatening without ICU care.
⏱️
Incubation Window
Symptoms begin one to eight weeks after exposure. HPS symptoms appear two to four weeks after exposure. The wide window makes early identification difficult in outbreak clusters.
💊
Treatment
No licensed antiviral for hantavirus exists. Early supportive care and ICU-level management significantly improve survival. Seek immediate care if symptomatic after potential exposure.
🏠
Prevention
Seal buildings against rodents. Always use wet cleaning — never dry sweep. Ventilate for 30 min before entering rodent areas. Wear gloves and N95 respirator when cleaning droppings.
🌍
Global Burden
WHO estimates 10,000–100,000+ hantavirus infections annually. Greatest burden in Asia and Europe (HFRS). The Americas report HPS cases yearly. South America has the highest mortality rate.
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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about hantavirus transmission, symptoms, and the 2026 MV Hondius outbreak.

Most hantavirus strains do not spread between people. The Andes virus — suspected in the 2026 outbreak — is the only known hantavirus with documented limited human-to-human transmission. WHO has assessed global public health risk as LOW. Community transmission risk for the general public remains minimal.
Early symptoms: fever (above 38.5°C), severe muscle aches in thighs, hips, and back, intense fatigue, and headache. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may also occur. These last 4–10 days before potentially progressing to respiratory difficulty. If you were on the MV Hondius and develop symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.
Respiratory difficulty — the hallmark of HPS — typically begins 4–10 days after the initial flu-like phase. Onset can be rapid and life-threatening, often requiring mechanical ventilation within hours. If you have been potentially exposed and experience shortness of breath, call emergency services immediately.
HPS has a ~36% case fatality rate in the US. The 2026 outbreak shows 3 deaths from 8 cases (37.5%), consistent with historical rates. However, early detection and aggressive ICU-level care significantly improve survival outcomes.
No approved hantavirus vaccine exists in Western countries as of 2026. Treatment is supportive: ICU care, supplemental oxygen, and in severe cases mechanical ventilation or ECMO. Prevention through rodent control and avoiding exposure remains the most critical strategy.
CDC recommends: (1) ventilate 30 min before entry; (2) wear rubber gloves + N95 respirator; (3) spray droppings with 10% bleach solution, let sit 5 min; (4) wipe up — never dry sweep or vacuum; (5) double-bag all waste; (6) disinfect gloves, then wash hands. Inhalation of aerosolized particles is the primary transmission route.
WHO assessed global risk as LOW. The outbreak is contained to MV Hondius passengers and close contacts. General travelers are not at elevated risk. However, anyone who did outdoor activities in rural South America — especially wildlife excursions — should monitor for hantavirus symptoms.
Countries apply different case definitions — some report only PCR-confirmed cases, others include suspected cases. This hantavirus map distinguishes confirmed (red), suspected (orange), and monitoring (gray) status per country based on official WHO, ECDC, CDC, and national health authority reports as of May 9, 2026.
Medical Reference

What Is Hantavirus?

Symptoms, transmission & prevention — essential information for travelers and returning MV Hondius passengers.

How Does Hantavirus Spread?

Hantavirus is primarily transmitted through contact with infected rodents or their droppings, urine, or saliva. The most common route is inhaling contaminated dust. The virus does not spread through casual person-to-person contact. However, the Andes virus — suspected in the 2026 MV Hondius outbreak — is the only known hantavirus with evidence of limited human-to-human transmission.

Hantavirus Symptoms

Early symptoms appear 1–8 weeks after exposure: fever, severe muscle aches, fatigue, and headache. Some cases progress to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) — characterized by shortness of breath, fluid in the lungs, and rapid respiratory failure. The 2026 outbreak has resulted in 3 deaths from 8 known cases (37.5% fatality rate).

How to Protect Yourself

Minimize exposure to rodents and their excreta. Ventilate contaminated areas for at least 30 minutes before entry. Wet contaminated material with disinfectant before wiping — never dry sweep. Wear rubber gloves and an N95 respirator. If you were a passenger on the MV Hondius, contact your local health authority immediately and follow the 45-day monitoring protocol.

References

Official Sources

All data compiled from official public health agencies and verified international news organizations.

WHO Hantavirus Fact Sheet WHO DON#99 Hantavirus-linked Cluster WHO Emergency Event 2026-eSOG227 CDC About Hantavirus CDC Reported US Cases ECDC Hantavirus AIR 2023 CDC Orthohantavirus Factsheet PAHO Epidemiological Alert Dec 2025 China CDC Weekly HFRS 2014–2023 CDC MMWR Southwestern US 1993 WHO Hantavirus Argentina 2019
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