AdvisoryPublished Jun 3 · 2026AI-classified · awaiting human verification

Hantavirus is on the rise in Argentina, where a stricken cruise ship began its journey

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ArgentinaConfidence 95%101 affectedJun 3, 2026

Argentina is experiencing a surge in hantavirus infections, with 101 cases reported since June 2025 and a tripling mortality rate, linked to climate change and expanding rodent ranges.

Species mentioned

rodents

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Hantavirus is on the rise in Argentina, where a stricken cruise ship began its journey
vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-03
Argentina is experiencing a surge in hantavirus infections, with 101 cases reported since June 2025, nearly double the previous year, and a mortality rate tripling to about one-third of cases. This rise is linked to climate change, which is expanding the virus's range and allowing infected rodents to migrate. The country, where the MV Hondius cruise departed, consistently has the highest incidence of the disease in Latin America.
Reference
Amid Ebola, Hantavirus Outbreaks, Democrats Decry Trump's Health Cuts
vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-03
Following the MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak and an Ebola outbreak, US Democrats and infectious disease leaders are criticizing the administration's public health policies and budget cuts. The hantavirus cluster on the cruise ship, which originated in Argentina, has resulted in 11 infected passengers and three deaths, with the Andes virus strain capable of person-to-person transmission.
Reference
Hantavirus is on the rise in Argentina, where a stricken cruise ship began its journey
vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-03
Argentina has reported 101 hantavirus infections since June 2025, a figure double that of the previous year, with the mortality rate nearly tripling to approximately one-third of cases. Rising temperatures and extreme weather patterns are contributing to the expansion of the virus's range, allowing infected rodents to migrate into previously unaffected regions across Argentina. Authorities are investigating if the country is the source of a deadly hantavirus outbreak on an Atlantic cruise ship.
Reference
WHO revises hantavirus cases lower after US passenger tests negative - CNA
channelnewsasia.com · 2026-05-15
The World Health Organization (WHO) revised the global total of hantavirus cases linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship down to 10 on May 15, 2026, after a U.S. passenger's inconclusive test was confirmed negative. U.S. health officials are monitoring 41 people, including 18 quarantined in Nebraska and Atlanta, for possible infection. The outbreak involves the Andes virus, a strain that has circulated in parts of Argentina and Chile for decades, with no significant viral changes identified to make it more transmissible or severe. The WHO stressed that the outbreak is not comparable to COVID-19 a
Reference
Argentina in spotlight over hantavirus as authorities retrace footsteps of ship's passengers
theguardian.com · 2026-06-03
Following three deaths on the MV Hondius cruise ship that departed from Argentina, the country is under global scrutiny. Tests confirmed the Andes strain, known for human-to-human transmission and found mainly in Argentina and Chile. Argentine health ministry plans to capture rodents for analysis along the route taken by the first symptomatic couple, who had traveled in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay before boarding the ship.
Reference
More details emerge on hantavirus patients on cruise ship
cidrap.umn.edu · 2026-05-01
As of May 5, 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) published more details on the hantavirus cases detected on the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius, reporting seven cases (two confirmed, five suspected) with three deaths. One patient was in intensive care in a South African hospital. Argentina had reported 42 hantavirus cases this year, mostly from Buenos Aires, but none from the province where the ship departed.
Reference
Hantavirus is on the rise in Argentina, where a stricken cruise ship began its journey
vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-03
The LA Times reported on May 6, 2026, that Argentina has recorded 101 hantavirus infections since June 2025, roughly double the previous year, with the mortality rate nearly tripling. Warming temperatures and extreme weather are expanding the virus's range, causing infected rodents to migrate into new regions.
Reference
Hantavirus ship cleared as Aussies and Kiwis remains in isolation - Travel Weekly
travelweekly.com.au · 2026-06-02
The M/V Hondius cruise ship has been cleared to resume full service after a disinfection process following a hantavirus outbreak. Six individuals, including four Australian citizens, one permanent resident, and one New Zealander, who disembarked the ship, are continuing their isolation at a quarantine center north of Perth, Western Australia. These individuals tested negative for the virus upon arrival and will only be retested if they develop symptoms. Eleven of the 170 passengers on the M/V Hondius contracted the Andes virus strain, with three deaths reported. The outbreak was linked to a bi
Reference
Expert reaction to hantavirus situation on cruise ship
vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-03
Experts note that hantavirus causes relatively small numbers of cases annually in South American countries such as Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, and Chile, but with a high case fatality rate typically between 20% and 40%, making it a public health concern. The infection can become evident in a patient between one to eight weeks after exposure. The current cruise ship outbreak most likely involves the Andes virus, which is a New World Hantavirus found in Argentina. The danger with New World Hantaviruses is their unspecific early presentation, resembling flu-like diseases, and their progression t
Reference
Why is hantavirus so deadly? It's not what you may think
vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-03
New World hantaviruses, such as the Andes virus (endemic to Chile and Argentina) and Sin Nombre virus (found in the United States and parts of Canada and Mexico), cause severe respiratory illness but hit differently than common viruses that lead to lung failure. These hantaviruses grow slowly and kill swiftly, claiming the lives of up to half of people they infect, yet mysteriously, survivors are left with no lasting damage. Scientists have discovered that these viruses make the most of a small tool kit of only four proteins, evading the immune system while they slowly replicate. Old World han
Reference
Hantavirus is on the rise in Argentina, where a stricken cruise ship began its journey
vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-03
Argentina has recorded 101 hantavirus infections since June 2025, roughly double the previous year, with the mortality rate nearly tripling to about one-third of cases. This surge is linked to climate change, with warming temperatures expanding the virus's range. Argentina consistently has the highest incidence of hantavirus in Latin America, according to WHO. Officials are investigating if the country is the source of the deadly cruise ship outbreak, which departed from Ushuaia, Argentina.
Reference
The Current Andes Hantavirus Situation in Argentina (May 2026) - World Health Network
whn.global · 2026-05-14
Andes virus incidence and lethality in Argentina have risen substantially. The 2025-2026 season has seen 101 cases, compared to 57 in the previous season, with lethality increasing to 32%. The Argentine Ministry of Health cited 41 confirmed cases in 2026, exceeding the epidemic threshold, with most occurring in Buenos Aires Province. The well-studied 2018-2019 Epuyén outbreak in Patagonia involved human-to-human transmission. Recent spread into more populated regions like Buenos Aires increases the risk of larger local and global outbreaks.
Reference
Hantavirus Infection Cases on a Cruise Ship During International Voyage
vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-03
The Japan Institute for Health Security reported on May 6, 2026, that no cases of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) have been reported in Japan to date, and no domestic cases of Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS) since 1999. Hantaviruses are generally not transmitted person-to-person, with the Andes virus in Argentina and Chile being an exception. Given the cruise ship departed from South America, the likelihood of infection in Japan with the hantavirus responsible for this event is considered extremely low, as the reservoir rodent species are not known to inhabit Japan.
Reference
Argentina in spotlight over hantavirus as authorities retrace footsteps of ship's passengers - The Guardian
theguardian.com · 2026-06-03
Argentina's health ministry plans to capture rodents for analysis along the route taken by a Dutch couple who first developed hantavirus symptoms after departing from Argentina. This investigation aims to determine the contamination source related to the MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak. The ministry reiterated that it is not confirmed the infection occurred in Argentina, noting that the province from which the ship departed, Tierra del Fuego, has not had a confirmed hantavirus case in the past 30 years.
Reference
Hantavirus is on the rise in Argentina, where a stricken cruise ship began its journey
vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-03
Argentina has recorded 101 hantavirus infections since June 2025, which is roughly double the previous year's figures. The mortality rate has also nearly tripled to about one-third of cases. This surge in activity is attributed to warming temperatures and extreme weather patterns, which are expanding the virus's range and allowing infected rodents to migrate into previously unaffected regions across Argentina. Officials and experts in Argentina are actively investigating whether the country is the source of the deadly hantavirus outbreak that has affected passengers on the MV Hondius cruise s
Reference
Hantavirus 2026: Which Countries Have Issued Travel Advisories?
vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-03
As of May 28, 2026, no country has banned travel due to the hantavirus outbreak, but several governments, including the US CDC, UK FCDO, Australia Smartraveller, and EU ECDC, have issued health notices for Argentina and Chile. Chile confirmed 39 hantavirus cases by early May 2026 with a 33% fatality rate, with risk areas concentrated in southern and central Chile, particularly rural cabins in Aysén, Los Lagos, and Los Ríos regions. The World Health Organization (WHO) was notified on May 2, 2026, of severe respiratory illness on the MV Hondius cruise ship. By May 26, 2026, 13 cases (11 confirm
Reference
Hantavirus is on the rise in Argentina, where a stricken cruise ship began its journey
vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-03
Argentina's Health Ministry reported 101 hantavirus infections since June 2025, roughly double the caseload recorded over the same period the previous year. The Andes virus, prevalent in South America, can cause a severe and often fatal lung disease called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), with a recent mortality rate of nearly a third. Officials and experts are investigating if Argentina is the source of a deadly hantavirus outbreak that has gripped an Atlantic cruise ship, the MV Hondius, where passengers tested positive for the Andes virus. The surge in cases is attributed by local publ
Reference
Live Science: Hantavirus outbreaks could become more likely as virus-carrying rodents expand their range, model finds | The Transmission | University of Nebraska Medical Center
vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-03
A model suggests that hantavirus outbreaks could become more likely as climate change shifts the distribution of virus-carrying rodents, potentially increasing the risk of spillover events from animals to humans. More than 100 cases of hantavirus disease were recorded in Argentina between June 2025 and early May 2026, which is roughly double the number from the previous year. The Andes virus, responsible for the cluster of cases associated with the MV Hondius cruise ship, is the only hantavirus known to be transmissible between people. Researchers warn that this expansion of rodent ranges cou
Reference
The Current Andes Hantavirus Situation in Argentina (May 2026) - World Health Network
vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-03
Argentina is experiencing a significant increase in Andes virus activity, including expansion into more populated regions and increasing mortality. There have been 101 cases thus far in the 2025-2026 season (July to June), compared to 57 in the previous season, and the lethality rate has risen to 32%. Multiple sources report elevated activity in 2026, with one Argentine Ministry of Health summary citing 41 confirmed cases and another noting 42 cases, with most occurring in Buenos Aires Province. This spread into more densely populated and globally connected cities increases the risk of larger
Reference
Hantavirus outbreak could be over 'sooner rather than later': Infectious diseases specialist
cp24.com · 2026-05-12
As of May 12, 2026, three people in Ontario, Canada, were isolating due to possible exposure to the hantavirus linked to the cruise ship outbreak, though none were showing symptoms. Two individuals were in Grey-Bruce counties and one in Peel Region. An infectious diseases specialist expressed confidence that the limited outbreak of the Andes strain, which is found in South America, could be contained with routine public health measures, similar to a 2018 outbreak in Argentina. Public health officials are advising healthcare providers to use airborne and droplet precautions when caring for pat
Reference
Hantavirus is on the rise in Argentina, where a stricken cruise ship began its journey
vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-03
Argentina has recorded 101 hantavirus infections since June 2025, roughly double the previous year, with the mortality rate nearly tripling to about one-third of cases. Warming temperatures and extreme weather patterns are expanding the virus's range, allowing infected rodents to migrate into previously unaffected regions. This surge comes as officials investigate a deadly hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship, which departed from Ushuaia, Argentina.
Reference
Chile Ministry of Health statement concerning Andes hantavirus outbreak
vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-03
Chile's Ministry of Health issued a statement on May 7, 2026, regarding the Andes hantavirus outbreak linked to a cruise ship that departed from Argentina. The Ministry reported that, in accordance with international protocols, exposure to the virus for the primary infections likely did not occur in Chile, as the transit period was outside the incubation window. The Andes virus is the only confirmed causative agent of human hantavirus in Chile, with its reservoir being the long-tailed mouse. The Ministry has maintained an epidemiological alert since November 2025.
Reference
Investigations Begin After Suspected Outbreak of Rare Hantavirus Kills 3 People
sciencealert.com · 2026-05-04
A suspected hantavirus outbreak on the Dutch-flagged MV Hondius cruise ship, which departed from Argentina, has resulted in three deaths and several illnesses. The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed one laboratory-confirmed case and five additional suspected cases initially. One patient is currently in intensive care in South Africa. The outbreak involves the Andes virus, a strain of hantavirus known for its potential for human-to-human transmission, though this is rare. The ship was off the coast of Cape Verde, where local authorities initially refused docking. Investigations are ongo
Reference
Hantavirus is on the rise in Argentina, where a stricken cruise ship began its journey
vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-03
The United Kingdom played a crucial role in the early detection and international response to the Andes hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship. The UK was the first to notify the World Health Organization (WHO) on May 2, 2026, about the cluster of severe respiratory illness observed on board. British nationals were among the passengers and crew affected. At least one British expedition guide was medically evacuated to South Africa in critical condition and later confirmed to have the Andes virus. Another British national, after receiving treatment in the Netherlands, was medically
Reference
The Current Andes Hantavirus Situation in Argentina (May 2026) - World Health Network
whn.global · 2026-05-14
As of May 14, 2026, Argentina is experiencing a significant increase in Andes virus activity, with 101 cases reported in the 2025-2026 season, compared to 57 in the previous season. The lethality rate has also risen to 32%. Cases are expanding into more populated regions like Buenos Aires Province, increasing the risk of larger local outbreaks and global spread due to human-to-human transmission capability of the Andes strain.
Reference
Hantavirus is on the rise in Argentina, where a stricken cruise ship began its journey
vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-03
Argentina is experiencing a surge in hantavirus cases, with 101 infections and 32 deaths reported since June 2025, nearly double the previous year's figures. This increase is attributed to climate change and expanding rodent habitats. The outbreak coincides with a deadly hantavirus cluster on the MV Hondius cruise ship, which departed from Ushuaia, Argentina. The Andes strain, known for human-to-human transmission, has been identified in the cruise ship outbreak.
Reference
Hantavirus now in 6 countries; officials present new origin theory - YouTube
youtube.com · 2026-06-03
The World Health Organization reported five confirmed hantavirus infections linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship, as health authorities in several countries work to contain the outbreak. Three people – a Dutch couple and a German national – have died since the vessel departed Argentina. The first suspected case, a 70-year-old Dutchman, fell ill on board and died on April 11. CNN also reported that Georgia is monitoring residents returning from the hantavirus-hit cruise.
Reference
Hantavirus is on the rise in Argentina, where a stricken cruise ship began its journey
vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-03
Argentina is experiencing a surge in hantavirus infections, with 101 cases recorded since June 2025, nearly double the previous year, and a mortality rate that has almost tripled to about one-third of cases. This increase is linked to climate change, with warming temperatures and extreme weather patterns expanding the virus's range and allowing infected rodents to migrate into previously unaffected regions. Argentina is consistently ranked by the World Health Organization as having the highest incidence of the rare, rodent-borne disease in Latin America.
Reference
Hantavirus is on the rise in Argentina, where a stricken cruise ship began its journey
vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-03
Argentina has recorded 101 hantavirus infections since June 2025, roughly double the previous year, with the mortality rate nearly tripling to about one-third of cases. The article links this surge to climate change and discusses the ongoing investigation into the cruise ship outbreak that departed from Ushuaia.
Reference
Argentina in spotlight over hantavirus as authorities retrace footsteps of ship's passengers - The Guardian
vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-03
Argentina has recorded 101 hantavirus cases with 32 deaths since July 2025, a significant increase from previous years. The country is under scrutiny as authorities investigate if the MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak originated there. The Andes strain, capable of human-to-human transmission, is found mainly in parts of Argentina and Chile.
Reference
Hantavirus outbreak linked to cruise ship travel, Multi-locations
vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-03
As of May 27, 2026, the Andes hantavirus outbreak linked to the M/V Hondius cruise ship has grown to 13 cases (eleven confirmed, two probable), including three deaths. Since the last update on May 13, three additional confirmed cases were reported from Canada, the Netherlands, and Spain. An inconclusive case from the United States was later determined to be negative. Over 600 contacts across 32 countries are being traced and monitored. The Andes virus is endemic in South America, particularly Argentina and Chile, and is known for limited human-to-human transmission.
Reference
Hantavirus is on the rise in Argentina, where a stricken cruise ship began its journey
apnews.com · 2026-06-03
Argentina is experiencing a significant surge in hantavirus cases, with 101 infections reported since June 2025, nearly double the previous year's figures. Experts attribute this rise to climate change, which has led to an increase in rodent populations. The Andes virus, endemic to South America, is responsible for these cases and can cause severe Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome. The country is also investigating if it was the source of the recent cruise ship outbreak.
Reference
Argentina tourist hotspot denies causing hantavirus outbreak | BBC News - YouTube
youtube.com · 2026-06-03
Two British nationals are among the confirmed hantavirus cases from the MV Hondius cruise ship, receiving treatment in the Netherlands and South Africa. British authorities also reported a suspected case on Tristan da Cunha. The UK was among the first to notify the WHO of the cluster of severe respiratory illness on board the Dutch vessel.
Reference
Hantavirus is on the rise in Argentina, where a stricken cruise ship began its journey
vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-03
As of May 6, 2026, Argentina has recorded 101 hantavirus infections since June 2025, roughly double the previous year, with the mortality rate nearly tripling to about one-third of cases. The country is experiencing a surge in cases, which many local public health researchers attribute to climate change. The cruise ship MV Hondius, linked to a hantavirus outbreak, departed from Ushuaia, Argentina.
Reference
What We Know About The World's Last Andes Hantavirus Outbreak - Forbes
forbes.com · 2026-05-07
World Health Organization officials are referencing an almost 8-year-old outbreak of the Hantavirus Andes variant in Argentina as a hopeful example for controlling the disease's spread, following a recent deadly outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship. The 2018 Epuyén outbreak in Argentina involved 34 confirmed Andes infections and 11 deaths, marking the largest documented human-to-human transmission event. This past outbreak demonstrated that isolation measures and contact tracing were effective in curtailing further spread, with most human-to-human transmissions occurring on the first day an
Reference
About Andes Virus | Hantavirus - CDC
vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-03
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides an overview of the Andes virus, a type of hantavirus found in parts of South America. This virus is primarily carried by wild rodents, such as long-tailed rice rats in Argentina and Chile, and is typically spread through exposure to their infected urine, droppings, and saliva, particularly when aerosolized in enclosed spaces. Uniquely among hantaviruses, the Andes virus is known to spread, albeit rarely, from person to person through close contact with symptomatic individuals. It causes Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), a severe
Reference
Hantavirus back in focus in Argentina: Fatal cases raise alarm after port departure
vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-03
An Al Jazeera report from May 9, 2026, highlights rising hantavirus cases and challenges in early diagnosis in Argentina, leading to deaths including a 14-year-old boy. Health officials warn the disease is hard to detect early and call for greater awareness. The virus is endemic in some rural areas, carried by long-tailed mice.
Reference
Cruise ship hantavirus outbreak reveals an unexpected solution: Restoring nature - IUCN
vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-03
A deadly hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship has drawn global attention to rodent-borne disease transmission. The outbreak, linked to the Andes strain, has caused multiple deaths and initiated international contact tracing. Health officials suspect the initial exposure occurred during shore excursions in Argentina, where the Andes strain is endemic and carried by infected rodents, highlighting the role of environmental disruption in disease risk.
Reference
Argentina tourist hotspot denies causing hantavirus outbreak | BBC News - YouTube
vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-03
Since July 2025, Argentina has recorded 101 hantavirus cases with 32 deaths, an increase from previous years. The city of Ushuaia, where the M/V Hondius cruise ship departed, denies being the source of the hantavirus outbreak, stating no confirmed cases in the province in 30 years. The Andes strain, capable of human-to-human transmission, was identified in cruise passengers.
Reference
Hantavirus is on the rise in Argentina, where a stricken cruise ship began its journey
vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-03
Argentina is experiencing a surge in hantavirus cases, with 101 infections recorded since July 2025 and a tripling of the mortality rate to about one-third of cases. Public health researchers attribute this rise to accelerating effects of climate change, with warming temperatures and extreme weather expanding the virus's range and allowing infected rodents to migrate into previously unaffected regions.
Reference
Argentina in spotlight over hantavirus as authorities retrace footsteps of ship's passengers - The Guardian
vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-03
Argentina is under scrutiny as authorities investigate if the country is the source of the MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak, with three deaths reported on the cruise ship. The Andes strain, capable of human-to-human transmission, is found mainly in parts of Argentina and Chile. Argentina's health ministry plans to capture rodents for analysis along the route taken by the Dutch couple who first developed symptoms, who had traveled in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay before boarding the ship.
Reference
Global hantavirus outbreak: low current risk for Aotearoa New Zealand | Pinnacle Practices
pinnaclepractices.co.nz · 2026-06-03
Health New Zealand issued an advisory on May 20, 2026, regarding a global hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship, with 11 cases and 3 deaths reported globally as of May 12, 2026. The risk to New Zealand is low, as the country has no detected hantavirus in humans or animals. Clinicians are advised to be alert for symptoms in patients with a history of travel on MV Hondius or recent time in Argentina or Chile.
Reference
Hantavirus is on the rise in Argentina, where a stricken cruise ship began its journey
wlrn.org · 2026-06-03
The Argentine Health Ministry reported 101 hantavirus infections since June 2025, roughly double the caseload from the previous year, with a mortality rate of nearly a third of cases. This surge is linked to climate change. The article also connects this to a deadly hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship, which departed from Ushuaia, Argentina.
Reference
Hantavirus is on the rise in Argentina, where a stricken cruise ship began its journey
vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-03
Argentina has seen a significant increase in hantavirus infections, with 101 cases recorded since June 2025, nearly double the previous year, and a mortality rate almost tripling to about one-third of cases. This surge is attributed to warming temperatures and extreme weather expanding the virus's range. The article also connects this to the deadly hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship that departed from Ushuaia, Argentina.
Reference
The Current Andes Hantavirus Situation in Argentina (May 2026) - World Health Network
worldhealth.net · 2026-06-03
Argentina is experiencing a significant increase in Andes virus activity, with 101 cases reported in the 2025-2026 season so far, compared to 57 in the previous season. The lethality rate has also risen substantially to 32% for cases spanning most of 2025. Recent reports indicate elevated activity in 2026, with one Ministry of Health summary citing 41 confirmed cases and incidence exceeding the epidemic threshold. Most cases in 2026 have occurred in Buenos Aires Province. The spread of Andes virus into more populated regions like Buenos Aires increases the risk of larger local outbreaks and
Reference
Argentina in spotlight over hantavirus as authorities retrace footsteps of ship's passengers - The Guardian
theguardian.com · 2026-06-03
Argentina is under global scrutiny as authorities investigate whether the country is the source of a deadly hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship. Since July last year, Argentina has recorded 101 hantavirus cases with 32 deaths, a significant increase compared to previous epidemiological seasons. To determine the contamination source, Argentina's health ministry plans to capture rodents for analysis along the route taken by a Dutch couple who first developed symptoms. This couple had traveled extensively in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay before boarding the ship in Ushuaia on April
Reference
Chile Ministry of Health statement concerning Andes hantavirus outbreak
outbreaknewstoday.com · 2026-06-03
The Chile Ministry of Health issued a statement on May 7, 2026, regarding the cruise ship that departed from Argentina on April 1st. The Ministry clarified that primary infection cases transited through Chile outside the hantavirus incubation period, ruling out exposure in Chile. In Chile, the Andes virus is the only confirmed cause of human hantavirus, with its reservoir being the long-tailed mouse found between the Atacama and Magallanes regions. The Andes virus can, exceptionally, be transmitted between people in contexts of close and prolonged contact. The Ministry of Health has maintain
Reference
Argentina battles record hantavirus surge amid diplomatic firestorm with WHO
beacon.gchs.unmc.edu · 2026-05-08
Argentina is experiencing its most severe hantavirus season in recent years, with 101 confirmed cases recorded during the 2025–2026 season, nearly double the previous year. As of early 2026, 42 cases have been documented. The surge is attributed to environmental factors like droughts followed by heavy rainfall, and increased human interaction with wild environments. The mortality rate has also significantly increased.
Reference
The Current Andes Hantavirus Situation in Argentina (May 2026) - World Health Network
worldhealth.net · 2026-06-03
As of May 14, 2026, Argentina is experiencing a significant increase in Andes virus activity, with 101 cases reported in the 2025-2026 season, compared to 57 in the previous season. The lethality rate has risen to 32%. Cases are expanding into more populated regions like Buenos Aires Province, increasing the risk of larger outbreaks. The MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak, which departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, has drawn global attention, with confirmed cases among passengers and three deaths.
Reference
The hantavirus at the centre of the outbreak struck Argentina in 2018. What did we learn? | Quirks and Quarks | On Demand | CBC Listen
cbc.ca · 2026-06-03
Health officials are on high alert due to the hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship. The Andes species, capable of human-to-human transmission, was responsible for an outbreak in Argentina from November 2018 to February 2019, infecting 34 and killing 11. A microbiologist suspects airborne transmission played a role in that previous outbreak.
Reference
Andes Hantavirus FAQs: What to Know as Quarantined Cruise Passengers Return Home
ajmc.com · 2026-06-03
Five passengers from the MV Hondius cruise ship, who were quarantined in Nebraska after potential exposure to Andes hantavirus, were permitted to leave quarantine on Monday, June 1, 2026. These individuals had not tested positive and remained asymptomatic. They are still required to continue home isolation for the second half of their 42-day quarantine, set to end June 22, 2026. They were among 18 passengers initially quarantined in Nebraska, following the World Health Organization's report of 11 confirmed and 2 probable cases nationally as of May 27, 2026. Andes virus, primarily found in Ar
Reference
Deadly hantavirus outbreak triggers rodent hunt in Argentina - The Independent
vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-03
Argentine investigators are trapping rodents in forests near Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, to find the source of the hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship. This fieldwork aims to detect the rat-borne virus in an area previously thought to be unaffected. The number of hantavirus cases has increased in Argentina in recent years, attributed to climate change expanding the range of the colilargo subspecies of rat.
Reference
Hantavirus is on the rise in Argentina, where a stricken cruise ship began its journey
vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-03
Argentina has recorded 101 hantavirus infections since June 2025, roughly double the previous year, with the mortality rate nearly tripling to about one-third of cases. Warming temperatures and extreme weather patterns are expanding the virus' range. Officials are investigating if Argentina is the source of a deadly hantavirus outbreak on an Atlantic cruise ship, which departed from Argentina.
Reference
Chile, Argentina report rise in deadly hantavirus cases - AccuWeather
vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-03
Chile has confirmed 39 hantavirus cases through May 2026, with a 33% fatality rate, surpassing 2025 totals. Most infected patients are men in rural and forestry activities. Argentina's National Epidemiological Bulletin reported 42 confirmed cases this year. The rise in cases in both countries is linked to climate change and the Andes strain, and has become an international health alert due to the MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak.
Reference
Argentine Health Ministry: Hantavirus caseload this year is double the caseload as previous years, and mortality rate at 33%, up from 15%
vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-03
The Argentine Health Ministry reported 101 hantavirus infections since June 2025, which is roughly double the caseload from the same period last year. The Andes virus, prevalent in South America, caused deaths in nearly a third of cases last year, a significant increase from the average 15% mortality rate in the preceding five years. This rise in cases and mortality rate highlights a concerning trend in the country.
Reference
Chile Ministry of Health statement concerning Andes hantavirus outbreak
vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-03
Chile's Ministry of Health issued a statement regarding the Andes hantavirus outbreak linked to a cruise ship that departed from Argentina. The Ministry confirmed that the Andes virus is the only causative agent of human hantavirus in Chile, with its reservoir being the long-tailed mouse found between the Atacama and Magallanes regions. They clarified that primary infections reported on the cruise ship transited through Chile outside the incubation period, making exposure in Chile unlikely. The Ministry has maintained an epidemiological alert since November 2025 and reinforced it in January 20

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.