Disease Outbreak News: Hantavirus cluster linked to cruise ship travel, Multi-country - 8 May

No images? Click here Saturday, 09 May 2026 Disease Outbreak News Hantavirus cluster linked to cruise ship travel, Multi-country 8 May 2026 Situation at a glance On 2 May 2026, a cluster of passengers with severe respiratory illness aboard a cruise ship was reported to the World Health Organization (WHO). At that time, according to the ship operator, 147 passengers and crew were onboard, and 34 passengers and crew had previously disembarked. Since the last Disease Outbreak News published on 4 May, three of the suspected cases were confirmed, and one additional confirmed case was reported. As of 8 May, a total of eight cases, including three deaths (case fatality ratio 38%), have been reported. Six cases have been laboratory-confirmed as hantavirus infections, with all identified as Andes virus (ANDV). Through the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) channel, National IHR Focal Points (NFPs) have all been informed and are supporting international contact tracing. WHO assesses the risk to the global population posed by this event as low and will continue to monitor the epidemiological situation and update the risk assessment. The risk for passengers and crew on the ship is considered moderate. The full text of the DON, including description of the situation, summary of cases, WHO risk assessment and advice, can be accessed here: Hantavirus cluster linked to cruise ship travel, Multi-country For further information, please also see: WHO’s response to hantavirus cases linked to a cruise ship Media contacts: mediainquiries@who.int     You are receiving this NO-REPLY email because you are included on a WHO mail list. If you have been forwarded this update you can click here to subscribe. Journalists may send feedback to WHO Media Team         Share    Tweet    Share    Forward  World Health Organization, Avenue Appia 20, 1202 Geneva 27, Switzerland  Unsubscribe