HEALTH INFORMATION - International SOS

Species mentioned

• rodents

Source articles

Every claim above is derived from publicly available reporting. Click through to read the original at the publisher.

• Primary
  HEALTH INFORMATION - International SOS↗

  cdn1.internationalsos.com · 2026-06-01

  International SOS assesses the risk of hantavirus to travelers as low, as transmission is primarily from infected rodents, not person-to-person, except for the Andes virus. Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) is caused by "New World" hantaviruses found in Canada, the United States, and South American countries including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Panama, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The WHO and ECDC also assess the global risk from the current outbreak as low to very low.

• Reference
  Hantavirus Infection in the United States Domestic and International Infectious Disease Report May 13, 2026 - KDHE↗

  coronavirus.kdheks.gov · 2026-06-01

  As of May 12, 2026, WHO and ECDC reported 11 Andes virus cases linked to the MV Hondius outbreak, with 9 confirmed cases, 2 probable cases, and 3 fatalities. No confirmed secondary cases outside the ship have been reported. Data from PAHO for the week ending May 2, 2026, shows Paraguay reported 13 cases, Argentina 44 cases, and Panama 4 cases.

• Reference
  Epidemiological Alert Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome in the Americas Region - Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)↗

  paho.org · 2026-06-01

  As of epidemiological week 47 in 2025, eight countries in the Americas Region, primarily in the Southern Cone (Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Panama, Paraguay, United States, and Uruguay), reported a total of 229 confirmed cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) and 59 deaths, resulting in a regional case fatality rate of 25.7%. Bolivia and Paraguay saw significant increases in incidence, with Paraguay experiencing an outbreak linked to occupational exposure. Argentina and Brazil observed an increase in lethality, with Argentina continuing to report the highest number of hantavirus c

• Reference
  Warning Signs and How the Hantavirus is Transmitted in Panama↗

  vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-02

  Panama has accumulated 8 cases of hantavirus fever and 6 cases of hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome in 2026, according to the Ministry of Health. No new cases were reported in epidemiological week 14. The Ministry maintains constant epidemiological surveillance, particularly in rural regions where the virus is prevalent.

• Reference
  Warning Signs and How the Hantavirus is Transmitted in Panama↗

  panamaamerica.com.pa · 2026-06-02

  As of epidemiological week 14 in 2026, Panama has accumulated 8 cases of hantavirus fever and 6 cases of hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome. The Ministry of Health maintains epidemiological surveillance and recommends preventive measures such as keeping homes clean, avoiding trash accumulation, sealing rodent entry points, and wearing masks and gloves when cleaning contaminated areas. Hantavirus is mainly transmitted by inhaling particles contaminated with rodent urine, feces, or saliva.

• Reference
  Hantavirus in Panama: Panama is reminded of the Importance of Maritime Health as a Major Maritime and Transit Hub - Newsroom Panama↗

  vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-02

  A suspected hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean, resulting in three deaths and several illnesses, has highlighted the importance of maritime health for Panama. Hantaviruses, typically carried by rodents, can cause severe respiratory illness. Cruise ships pose unique public health challenges due to close quarters and international travel, making rapid identification and containment crucial.

• Reference
  Hantavirus: Panama is reminded of the Importance of Maritime Health as a Major Maritime and Transit Hub - Newsroom Panama↗

  vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-02

  A suspected hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship in the Atlantic, which caused three deaths, has prompted Panama to emphasize the importance of maritime health monitoring. The incident highlights the vulnerability of cruise ships to infectious disease outbreaks due to close quarters and international travel.

• Reference
  Warning Signs and How the Hantavirus is Transmitted in Panama↗

  newsroompanama.com · 2026-05-07

  Panama's Ministry of Health (MINSA) has reported accumulated hantavirus cases in 2026, with a total of 8 cases of hantavirus fever and 6 cases of hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome as of epidemiological week 14. A 42-year-old man from Ocú, Herrera province, recently died from hantavirus, highlighting the continued presence of the disease. The Ministry maintains constant epidemiological surveillance, particularly in rural regions where the virus is prevalent. Hantavirus is a zoonotic virus primarily transmitted through contact with the urine, saliva, or feces of infected rodents, or by inhali

• Reference
  Hantavirus: Panama is reminded of the Importance of Maritime Health as a Major Maritime and Transit Hub - Newsroom Panama↗

  newsroompanama.com · 2026-05-03

  Panama is being reminded of the critical importance of maritime health protocols as a major maritime and transit hub, following a suspected hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship in the Atlantic. The incident, which resulted in three deaths and several illnesses, has raised alarms due to the potential for rapid spread of infectious diseases in confined environments like cruise vessels. Hantaviruses are typically carried by rodents and can infect humans through contact with contaminated droppings, urine, or saliva. Health officials are treating suspected cases seriously due to the potential for

• Reference
  Hantavirus: Panama is reminded of the Importance of Maritime Health as a Major Maritime and Transit Hub↗

  newsroompanama.com · 2026-06-02

  A suspected hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship in the Atlantic, which caused three deaths and several illnesses, has prompted Panama to emphasize maritime health. The WHO reported the outbreak, highlighting the risk of rapid disease spread in confined cruise environments. Panama, as a major transit hub, is reminded of the importance of monitoring and port coordination for international travel-related outbreaks.

• Reference
  Warning Signs and How the Hantavirus is Transmitted in Panama↗

  telemetro.com · 2026-05-07

  Panama has accumulated 14 hantavirus cases in 2026 as of epidemiological week 14: 8 cases of hantavirus fever and 6 cases of hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome. No new cases were reported during week 14. The Ministry of Health (MINSA) maintains epidemiological surveillance, especially in rural regions, and recommends preventive measures against rodent contact.

• Reference
  Hantavirus: Panama is reminded of the Importance of Maritime Health as a Major Maritime and Transit Hub↗

  newsroompanama.com · 2026-06-02

  A suspected hantavirus outbreak on an Atlantic cruise ship, which resulted in three deaths and several illnesses, has prompted Panama to emphasize the importance of maritime health. The article highlights the unique public health challenges posed by cruise ships, where infectious diseases can spread rapidly in confined environments, underscoring the need for early identification and containment.

• Reference
  Epidemiological Alert Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome in the Americas Region - Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)↗

  vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-02

  The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an epidemiological alert on December 19, 2025, detailing confirmed cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) in the Americas Region during 2025. Eight countries, primarily in the Southern Cone, reported a total of 229 cases and 59 deaths, resulting in a regional case fatality rate of 25.7%. Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Panama, Paraguay, the United States, and Uruguay were among the affected countries, with exposures predominantly in rural areas linked to cleaning activities, logging, and contact with rodents.

• Reference
  PAHO supports the international response to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome cases linked to a cruise ship in the Atlantic↗

  paho.org · 2026-05-07

  The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is supporting international coordination and information exchange in response to the cruise ship-related hantavirus outbreak. PAHO had previously issued an epidemiological alert in December 2025 due to an increase in cases in endemic countries, particularly in the Southern Cone, urging strengthened surveillance and response. A new regional training workshop is scheduled for June 2026 in Panama to enhance preparedness and response capacities for potential outbreaks.

• Reference
  Recent outbreaks of hantavirus-a very lethal and zoonotic virus – An update and counteracting strategies - PMC↗

  pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov · 2026-06-03

  A PMC article discusses recent hantavirus outbreaks, highlighting its lethality and zoonotic nature. It mentions that hantavirus surveillance in the US began in 1993 in the Four Corners region (Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah). The article also references 2022 cases in Brazil (22 cases, 10 deaths) and Panama (29 cases), emphasizing the global distribution and high mortality rates associated with the virus, particularly in South America.