Hantavirus cluster linked to cruise ship travel, Multi-country
South AfricaConfidence 95%7 affectedJun 1, 2026
WHO announced a cluster of seven severe respiratory illness cases, including three deaths, on a cruise ship that departed Ushuaia, Argentina, with one patient evacuated to South Africa.
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- PrimaryHantavirus cluster linked to cruise ship travel, Multi-country
who.int · 2026-06-01
On May 2, 2026, WHO was notified of a cluster of severe respiratory illness on a cruise ship. As of May 4, seven cases (two confirmed, five suspected), including three deaths, were identified. The vessel departed Ushuaia, Argentina, and traveled across the South Atlantic, with one patient medically evacuated to South Africa.
- ReferenceHantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome updates - NICD
nicd.ac.za · 2026-06-01
From May 2 to May 25, 2026, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) reported a total of 11 cases (9 confirmed, 2 probable) of Andes virus, including three deaths, linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship. All sequenced viruses were confirmed as Andes virus. These cases involved multiple nationalities, with patients evacuated to South Africa, Europe, and Canada for clinical management and monitoring. Extensive contact tracing and monitoring are currently underway in South Africa. Hantavirus infection is classified as a Category 1 notifiable medical condition in South Africa, requiri
- ReferenceAmid Ebola, Hantavirus Outbreaks, Democrats Decry Trump's Health Cuts
kffhealthnews.org · 2026-06-01
Officials in South Africa confirmed on June 1, 2026, that a third passenger from the MV Hondius cruise ship tested positive for the Andes strain of hantavirus and died. This marks the first time the virus is linked to the illnesses in South Africa. The Andes strain is known for its rare person-to-person transmission.
- ReferenceHantavirus cluster linked to cruise ship travel, Multi-country
vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-01
On May 2, 2026, a cluster of passengers with severe respiratory illness aboard a cruise ship was reported to the World Health Organization. As of May 4, 2026, seven cases (two laboratory confirmed and five suspected), including three deaths, had been identified. The illness onset occurred between April 6 and April 28, 2026, characterized by fever, gastrointestinal symptoms, and rapid progression to pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Laboratory testing in South Africa confirmed hantavirus infection in one critically ill patient.
- ReferenceHantavirus cluster linked to cruise ship travel, Multi-country - World Health Organization (WHO)
vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-01
On May 2, 2026, the WHO was notified of a cluster of severe respiratory illness aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship. As of May 4, seven cases (two confirmed, five suspected), including three deaths, one critically ill patient, and three with mild symptoms, had been identified. Illness onset occurred between April 6 and April 28, 2026. One critically ill patient was medically evacuated to South Africa and confirmed with hantavirus.
- ReferenceHantavirus cluster linked to cruise ship travel, Multi-country
vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-02
As of May 4, 2026, seven cases (two confirmed, five suspected), including three deaths, were identified in a hantavirus cluster on a cruise ship reported to WHO. Illness onset occurred between April 6 and 28, characterized by fever, GI symptoms, and rapid progression to pneumonia. One critically ill patient was medically evacuated to South Africa. The outbreak is managed through international coordination, with recommendations for hand hygiene and symptom monitoring for passengers and crew.
- ReferenceHantavirus cluster linked to cruise ship travel, Multi-country
vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-02
On May 2, 2026, the World Health Organization was notified of a cluster of severe respiratory illness on the MV Hondius cruise ship. As of May 4, seven cases (two confirmed and five suspected), including three deaths, were reported. The vessel departed Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1, 2026, and cases were identified after passengers disembarked in various locations, including South Africa and Cabo Verde. The onset of illness occurred between April 6 and 28, 2026, characterized by fever, gastrointestinal symptoms, and rapid progression to pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Invest
- ReferenceHantavirus cluster linked to cruise ship travel, Multi-country
vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-02
On May 2, 2026, a cluster of severe respiratory illness cases aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship was reported to the WHO. As of May 4, seven cases (two confirmed, five suspected), including three deaths, one critically ill patient, and three with mild symptoms, were identified. One critically ill patient was medically evacuated to South Africa, where hantavirus infection was confirmed. Illness onset occurred between April 6 and 28, 2026.
- ReferenceHantavirus outbreak linked to cruise ship travel, Multi-locations
who.int · 2026-06-02
A cluster of hantavirus cases, caused by the Andes virus, has been reported among passengers and crew of the MV Hondius cruise ship, which departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, in March/April 2026. As of May 27, 2026, there are 13 cases (11 confirmed, 2 probable), including three deaths. The outbreak is notable for occurring at sea and for involving the Andes strain, which can transmit person-to-person, though this is rare. Contact tracing is ongoing across multiple countries, including South Africa, the Netherlands, Spain, the United States, Canada, France, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Ge
- ReferenceHantavirus cluster linked to cruise ship travel, Multi-country
who.int · 2026-06-02
On May 2, 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) received notification from the UK regarding a cluster of severe acute respiratory illness cases aboard a Dutch-flagged cruise ship, the M/V Hondius. As of May 4, seven cases (two laboratory-confirmed hantavirus and five suspected), including three deaths, one critically ill patient, and three individuals with mild symptoms, have been identified. Illness onset occurred between April 6 and 28, characterized by fever, gastrointestinal symptoms, and rapid progression to pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and shock. Laboratory testin
- ReferenceHantavirus cluster linked to cruise ship travel, Multi-country
who.int · 2026-06-02
On May 4, 2026, the World Health Organization reported a cluster of severe respiratory illness on a cruise ship, with seven cases (two laboratory-confirmed and five suspected) and three deaths. Illness onset occurred between April 6 and April 28, 2026, characterized by fever, gastrointestinal symptoms, and rapid progression to pneumonia and shock. One critically ill patient was medically evacuated from Ascension Island to South Africa, where hantavirus infection was confirmed by PCR testing on May 2, 2026. The report highlights that hantavirus infections are relatively uncommon globally, but
- ReferenceHantavirus outbreak linked to cruise ship travel, Multi-locations
who.int · 2026-06-02
The World Health Organization reported on May 28, 2026, that the Andes hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship has grown to 13 cases, including 11 confirmed and 2 probable, with three deaths. New confirmed cases were reported from Canada, the Netherlands, and Spain. Contact tracing is ongoing across 32 countries for over 600 contacts. The risk to the global population is assessed as low. The outbreak originated from a vessel that departed Ushuaia, Argentina, in March 2026. Cases have been evacuated to various locations, including South Africa, and contact tracing efforts exte
- ReferenceHantavirus cluster linked to cruise ship travel, Multi-country
who.int · 2026-06-02
On May 4, 2026, WHO reported a cluster of severe respiratory illness aboard a Dutch-flagged cruise ship, with two laboratory-confirmed hantavirus cases and five suspected cases, including three deaths. Illness onset occurred between April 6 and 28, 2026. One critically ill patient was medically evacuated to South Africa where hantavirus infection was confirmed. Investigations are ongoing, and the outbreak is being managed through coordinated international response.
- ReferenceTwo cases of hantavirus which spreads human-to-human linked to ship, South Africa says
cnbcafrica.com · 2026-05-06
South Africa identified the Andes strain of hantavirus in two individuals who disembarked from the MV Hondius cruise ship. A Dutch woman died in Johannesburg, and a British man is hospitalized. The Andes strain is known for rare human-to-human transmission through close contact. The ship was preparing to travel from Cape Verde to Europe.
- ReferenceHantavirus cluster linked to cruise ship travel, Multi-country - World Health Organization (WHO)
vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-03
On May 8, 2026, WHO updated its report on the M/V Hondius cruise ship outbreak, confirming 8 cases (6 confirmed, 2 probable) and 3 deaths. All confirmed cases were identified as Andes virus. Two medical evacuation flights from Cabo Verde landed in the Netherlands with symptomatic patients. Patients were hospitalized in South Africa, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. Investigations into the source are ongoing in collaboration with Argentina and Chile.
Reminder
This report is an aggregated summary of public information for surveillance and awareness purposes only. It is not medical advice. For symptoms, exposure, or clinical decisions, contact a qualified clinician or your local public-health authority.