Argentina in spotlight over hantavirus as authorities retrace footsteps of ship's passengers

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  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.

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  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

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  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

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  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.

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  Hantavirus Update: Argentina's Hot Spot For Antarctic Cruises Insists It Didn't Cause Outbreak - NDTV↗

  ndtv.com · 2026-06-03

  Officials in Argentina's Tierra del Fuego province are challenging claims that the deadly hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship originated there. They are advocating for investigations to focus on other Argentine provinces that passengers visited before boarding the vessel. Local authorities in Ushuaia, the main gateway to Antarctica, insist the virus did not come from a local trash heap, which national health authorities had suggested as a likely source. Juan Facundo Petrina, the province's director of epidemiology, stated that Tierra del Fuego has no recorded history of hantavir

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  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

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  Chile Ministry of Health statement concerning Andes hantavirus outbreak↗

  vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-03

  The Chilean Ministry of Health stated on May 7, 2026, that primary hantavirus infections linked to the cruise ship likely did not occur in Chile, as the cases transited through the country outside the incubation period. Chile has maintained an epidemiological alert since November 2025 and reinforced it in January 2026, emphasizing surveillance and risk communication. The Andes virus, endemic in Chile, is the only hantavirus known for rare human-to-human transmission.

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  Elevated Hantavirus (Andes virus) case fatality rate reported in Chile during the 2026 season; 41 cases and 14 deaths reported as of 09 May 2026 - BEACON↗

  beacon.cl · 2026-06-03

  As of May 9, 2026, Chile has reported 41 hantavirus cases and 14 deaths, indicating an elevated case fatality rate of 34% for the 2026 season. This is significantly higher than the 18% CFR observed in 2025. The Andes virus, transmitted by the long-tailed mouse, is the causative agent in Chile. The Ministry of Health has maintained a national health alert since January 2026, implementing measures like expanded PCR testing in Los Lagos region hospitals.

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  “One Of The Most Virulent Known” | Chile Tracks Deadly Hantavirus Spread Amid Cruise Probe - YouTube↗

  youtube.com · 2026-06-03

  Chile's Health Ministry is tracking growing concerns over hantavirus, as reported on May 8, 2026. Health officials confirmed 39 hantavirus cases and 13 deaths in Chile so far in 2026, with the Andes strain, carried by the long-tailed pygmy rice rat, being one of the most virulent known. While exposure linked to the cruise outbreak likely did not occur in Chile, authorities emphasize prevention and monitoring efforts, especially in humid, heavily vegetated rural regions where human-rodent contact is common.

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  Chile Ministry of Health statement concerning Andes hantavirus outbreak↗

  outbreaknewstoday.com · 2026-06-03

  On May 7, 2026, Chile's Ministry of Health issued a statement regarding the cruise ship hantavirus outbreak, asserting that primary infections likely did not occur in Chile. They noted that reported cases transited through Chile outside the incubation period. The Ministry has maintained an epidemiological alert since November 2025 and reinforced it in January 2026, emphasizing surveillance and risk communication for the Andes virus, which is endemic in Chile and capable of human-to-human transmission.

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  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

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  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.

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  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.

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  Two new hantavirus cases reported in Chile, in Ñuble and Los Lagos regions - BEACON↗

  beacon.who.int · 2026-06-03

  Chile has reported two new hantavirus cases in the Ñuble and Los Lagos regions. On May 23, 2026, Ñuble confirmed its sixth case of the year, a 35-year-old man likely infected while fishing in Santa Clara, Bulnes. On May 20, Los Lagos confirmed its seventh case, a 47-year-old male livestock worker from Purranque. As of May 9, 2026, Chile had recorded 41 hantavirus cases and 14 deaths, with a significantly higher case fatality rate of 34% in 2026 compared to 18% in 2025. The Ministry of Health has maintained a national health alert since January 2026. Hantavirus in Chile is caused by the Andes

• 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

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  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
  Elevated Hantavirus (Andes virus) case fatality rate reported in Chile during the 2026 season; 41 cases and 14 deaths reported as of 09 May 2026.↗

  vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com · 2026-06-03

  As of May 9, 2026, Chile has reported 41 hantavirus cases and 14 deaths during the 2026 season, indicating an elevated case fatality rate. Recent cases include two occupational cases among aquaculture divers in Aysén Region and a fatal pediatric case in Hijuelas, Valparaíso Region.

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  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

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  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.

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  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

• Reference
  Chile Ministry of Health statement concerning Andes hantavirus outbreak↗

  outbreaknewstoday.com · 2026-06-03

  The Chilean Ministry of Health stated that primary hantavirus infections linked to the cruise ship did not occur in Chile, as cases transited outside the incubation period. The Andes virus, the only confirmed hantavirus in Chile, is carried by the long-tailed mouse and can exceptionally transmit person-to-person. An epidemiological alert has been maintained since November 2025 and reinforced in January 2026.