WHO Confirms Nine Hantavirus Cases Linked to Cruise Ship Outbreak; Andes Virus Explained

Source: arabic.euronews.com·2026-05-12Read original →

TL;DR

· WHO has confirmed 9 hantavirus cases aboard the MV Honduas cruise ship, with up to 6-week incubation period raising risk of additional cases
· Andes virus is the only hantavirus strain capable of limited human-to-human transmission via prolonged close contact; other strains spread only from rodents to humans
· Mortality rates range from <1–15% in Asia/Europe to 50% in the Americas; genetic sequencing suggests single infection source with no new variant detected

The WHO has documented nine confirmed hantavirus cases associated with an outbreak on the cruise ship MV Honduas. The article provides comprehensive background on hantavirus: a naturally occurring rodent pathogen first discovered in 1976 at South Korea's Hantaan River. Andes virus is the sole hantavirus strain capable of limited human-to-human transmission through prolonged close contact. Transmission typically occurs via contact with infected rodent urine, feces, or saliva. Symptoms appear 1–8 weeks post-exposure and include fever, headache, myalgia, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Mortality varies by geographic strain: <1–15% in Asia/Europe versus up to 50% in the Americas. Genetic sequencing indicates a single infection source aboard the ship with no evidence of a novel variant. WHO and ECDC assess the general population risk as very low.