US, French nationals from hantavirus ship test positive

Public health officials and the World Health Organization (WHO) are currently monitoring a cluster of hantavirus cases linked to international travel. As of May 11, 2026, here is the latest on the situation:

Recent Outbreak: Cruise Ship Cluster
Case Count: There are currently six confirmed cases of hantavirus (specifically the Andes virus strain) linked to a cruise ship that traveled near Cabo Verde.

Spread: Cases have been identified in passengers from multiple countries. On May 6, a patient was medically evacuated to the Netherlands and is currently in stable condition in isolation. The UK also confirmed two British cases from the same ship and is investigating a suspected infection on the remote island of Tristan da Cunha.

WHO Action: The WHO is working with ship operators and affected countries to conduct risk assessments. While hantavirus is typically transmitted from rodents to humans, the Andes strain is unique because it can occasionally spread via person-to-person contact.

Understanding Hantavirus
Hantaviruses are a family of viruses spread mainly by rodents (mice and rats). Infection usually occurs when people breathe in air contaminated with the virus from rodent droppings, urine, or saliva.

Feature Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS/HCPS) Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS)

Early Symptoms Fatigue, fever, muscle aches (thighs, hips, back). Sudden intense headache, back/abdominal pain, fever.

Late Symptoms Coughing, shortness of breath, fluid in lungs. Low blood pressure, vascular leak, kidney failure.

Severity High mortality rate (up to 38%). Varies; can cause severe internal bleeding.

Prevention and Risk
Health authorities emphasize that the risk to the general public remains extremely low. The current cluster is specific to a single travel group. To prevent general infection:

Avoid Rodents: Keep food in sealed containers and seal holes in homes or cabins where rodents might enter.

Safe Cleaning: Do not stir up dust when cleaning rodent-infested areas. Instead, use a disinfectant or bleach solution to wet the area before wiping.

Travel Awareness: Travelers to areas with known outbreaks (recent cases have also been noted in Argentina, Panama, and Bolivia) should avoid activities that bring them into contact with rodent habitats.

Medical experts state that while the current situation requires monitoring, it is not expected to lead to a widespread pandemic similar to COVID-19 due to the specific ways the virus is transmitted.