Hantavirus cases linked to cruise ship grows to 8

The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified eight cases linked to the hantavirus outbreak as of May 6, of which three have been laboratory-confirmed.

So far, three people have died from the disease while onboard the cruise ship MV Hondius. 

Two of the three cases were close contacts and had travelled in South America, including Argentina, before boarding the cruise ship on April 1. The third fatality was an adult female who developed fever and a general feeling of being unwell on April 28, and was diagnosed with pneumonia before her death on May 2, according to information released by WHO.

Three patients were evacuated from the ship and transferred to medical facilities for treatment, who are nationals of the Netherlands, Britain, and Germany, according to the Dutch foreign ministry.

Switzerland also confirmed a case on Wednesday, a male patient who is currently being treated in isolation at a hospital in Zurich. His wife, who was with him throughout the voyage, has not developed any symptoms but has chosen to self-isolate as a precautionary measure.

In the United States, health authorities across at least three states are monitoring a number of individuals who may have been exposed to the infection. However, none of those under surveillance have displayed any symptoms to date, according to a report by the New York Times.

The strain in question

South Africa's health ministry identified the Andes strain of the virus in two patients evacuated to the country. 

Unlike most hantavirus strains, the Andes can be transmitted to humans with limited capacity through close, prolonged contact and is primarily associated with Argentina and Chile, according to the WHO.

Despite the strain's transmission profile, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus moved to temper public concern: "At this stage, the overall public health risk remains low." 

What is hantavirus?

Hantaviruses are a family of viruses carried by rodents and occasionally transmitted to humans through contact with infected urine, droppings or saliva. Bites are a less common route of transmission. To date, human-to-human transmission has been documented only for Andes virus.

The disease it causes depends largely on geography. In the Americas, infection can lead to Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome – a rapidly progressing condition that attacks the lungs and heart. In Europe and Asia, it more commonly causes Haemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome, which targets the kidneys and blood vessels. Both can be fatal.

There is no specific cure. Treatment relies on early supportive care and close monitoring of respiratory, cardiac and kidney function.

How to reduce your risk

Infection is primarily prevented by limiting contact with rodents. Practical steps include keeping homes and workplaces clean, sealing entry points that rodents could use, dampening contaminated surfaces before cleaning to avoid inhaling particles, and maintaining good hand hygiene.

Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation as investigations into the source of the outbreak on board the MV Hondius remain ongoing.

(Cover: A scientist holds a container used to diagnose the Andes hantavirus in Buenos Aires, May 6, 2026. /VCG)