Hantavirus in Germany — Risk, Travel Advisory, and 2026 Update | Hanta Hub

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• Primary
  Hantavirus in Germany — Risk, Travel Advisory, and 2026 Update | Hanta Hub↗

  hantahub.com · 2026-06-03

  As of May 3, 2026, Germany reported one citizen, an MV Hondius passenger, died on board from Andes hantavirus. The Robert Koch Institut (RKI) is coordinating surveillance for returning travelers. Native German hantavirus (Puumala/Dobrava) risk remains low, with seasonal HFRS case bursts in western and southern Germany, unrelated to 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 outbreak linked to cruise ship travel, Multi-locations↗

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

  The World Health Organization (WHO) released its fourth Disease Outbreak News report on May 28, 2026, detailing the Andes hantavirus outbreak linked to the M/V Hondius cruise ship. The outbreak was initially reported on May 2, 2026. As of May 27, 2026, a total of 13 cases, including eleven confirmed and two probable, have been reported, with three deaths (two confirmed and one probable). Since the previous report on May 13, three additional confirmed cases were identified in Canada, the Netherlands, and Spain. The Andes virus, endemic to South America, is known for its limited human-to-human

• Reference
  WHO Report on Hantavirus Cases on a Cruise Ship: Assessment of the Situation for Germany | German Center for Infection Research↗

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

  The German Center for Infection Research provided an assessment following the WHO report on Andes virus cases on a cruise ship. While human-to-human transmission of Andes virus is rare, it is a noteworthy event. The situation in Germany regarding indigenous hantaviruses (Puumala, Dobrava-Belgrade, Tula, Seoul viruses) remains unchanged, as human-to-human transmission is not known for these strains.

• Reference
  WHO Report on Hantavirus Cases on a Cruise Ship: Assessment of the Situation for Germany | German Center for Infection Research↗

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

  The German Center for Infection Research has assessed the risk to Germany from the Andes hantavirus cases linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship. While the Andes virus, found in South America, can rarely transmit human-to-human, the natural reservoir hosts are restricted to South America, meaning it does not occur naturally in Europe. In Germany, the primary risk is from the Puumala virus, transmitted by bank voles, and human-to-human transmission is not known for indigenous hantaviruses. The overall risk for the German population remains unchanged and low.