May 15, 2026, 7:02 p.mMay 15, 2026, 7:02 p.m
The hantavirus was analyzed after the outbreak on a cruise. It does not appear to be any more aggressive than previously known samples. But there are unanswered questions about the transmission route.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there was probably no more dangerous mutation of the virus involved in the hantavirus outbreak on an Atlantic cruise. Genetic analyzes and comparisons with previous samples have so far shown no evidence of easier transmissibility or severe cases of disease in the current outbreak, said WHO expert Maria Van Kerkhove in Geneva.
According to the latest data from the WHO, there are ten hantavirus cases in connection with the cruise ship “Hondius”, eight of which were confirmed in laboratories. In an eleventh person from the United States, an initial suspicion of infection was not confirmed after several tests, said Van Kerkhove. Three infected people have died. All three are now laboratory confirmed.
The South American Andes virus was circulating on the ship. Like all types of hantavirus, it is usually transmitted by rodents, for example via fecal particles in blown up dust. Person-to-person transmission is occasionally possible with the Andes virus, but this usually requires ongoing, close contact.
Really only with long-term contact?
However, there are still questions about possible infections with less intensive contact, admitted Van Kerkhove. There was also a known outbreak in connection with a birthday party, she said.
The WHO believes that a passenger from the Netherlands was infected on land in South America before boarding in Argentina. According to the WHO, initial findings about his activities indicate that he may have come into contact with rodents while bird-watching in southern South America before the cruise. According to the information, genetic analyzes have shown that the further infections probably happened from person to person. The Dutchman and his wife have died.
The “Hondius” with a total of around 150 people on board was last anchored off Tenerife. The passengers were evacuated and transported to their home countries, where they were quarantined.
Because the virus has an incubation period of several weeks, further cases could become known among the former passengers, said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. However, this is not a sign of a growing outbreak, but of functioning surveillance measures. (sda/dpa)