Hantavirus Cluster Situation Report #4
- Emergency Manager's Weekly Report
- May 15
- 2 min read
World Health Organization Highlights:
· The World Health Organization (WHO) reported on May 15th there are 10 cases (8 confirmed & 2 probable) globally:
o Three deaths have been reported.
o The 26 crew members on the MV Hondius are scheduled to arrive in the Netherlands on Monday, May 18th. Currently, no one on board has any symptoms:
ü Crew members have been advised to practice physical distancing and remain in their cabins where possible.
o Based on the long incubation period, WHO said additional cases are possible.
· WHOs working hypothesis is that the first case acquired the infection prior to boarding the cruise, through exposure on land:
o Investigations are ongoing to elucidate the potential circumstances of exposure and the source of the outbreak, in collaboration with authorities in Argentina and Chile.
o Current evidence suggests subsequent human-to-human transmission onboard the ship. This is also supported by a preliminary analysis of the sequences, which show a close, near-identical sequenced from different cases.
· WHO has supported collaboration across relevant laboratories with prior experience to ensure timely testing.
· The public health risk for those who were onboard the cruise ship is currently moderate and low at the global level.
United Kingdom Highlights:
· As of May 15th, the UK Health Security Agency reported that they have deployed three medical workers and a portable laboratory to Saint Helena:
o The portable lab is capable of running PCR tests to detect the Andes hantavirus strain.
o The team and the mobile lab will be on the island for the next 8 weeks.
United States Highlights:
· The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported on May 15th:
o There is a total of 41 people who fall into three exposure groups, which are:
ü Repatriated passengers (Patients now at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Emory University).
ü Travelers who returned home before the outbreak was identified.
ü In-flight contacts who were exposed to symptomatic cases.
o Some of these people are at home monitoring their health in close coordination with State and local health departments.
· The CDC is working on developing testing protocols and guidance.
Sources:
· Transcript - Update on CDC's Hantavirus Response 5/14/2026
· WHO Twitter Page
· CDC Twitter Page
· UK Health Security Agency Twitter Page
· European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control Bluesky Page
Resources
Andes Virus Outbreak on a Cruise Ship: Frequently Asked Questions (New)
Rapid scientific advice on infection, prevention and control measures for patients in healthcare settings with Andes virus (ANDV) disease (New)
Outbreak of Andes virus 2026 - Recommendations for self-quarantine (New)
CDC Health Advisory: 2026 Multi-country Hantavirus Cluster Linked to Cruise Ship
ECDC, Questions and answers on the hantavirus outbreak in a cruise ship
UK Health Security Agency, What is hantavirus? How is it transmitted and what are the symptoms?
ECDC, Hantavirus-associated cluster of illness on a cruise ship: ECDC assessment and recommendations
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