How many people have hantavirus in 2026? The answer depends heavily on which hantavirus you are counting, and where. The global picture combines a dramatic cruise ship cluster, a severe South American seasonal outbreak, Europe’s endemic Puumala burden, and sporadic cases across Asia and North America. This is the most complete country-by-country breakdown available as of 13 May 2026.
The Three-Tier Global Picture
Hantavirus cases in 2026 can be sorted into three distinct categories:
- MV Hondius Andes virus cluster — acute international outbreak, 11 confirmed cases across 9 countries
- South American seasonal HPS — ongoing annual transmission season, Argentina and Chile leading
- Global endemic HFRS/NE — Europe, Asia, North America baseline; tens of thousands of cases annually
All three are happening simultaneously, which is why global hantavirus case counts have dominated public health headlines this spring.
MV Hondius Andes Virus Cluster — Case Table (as of 13 May 2026)
| Country | Confirmed cases | Deaths | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 2 | 0 | Active (isolation) | RIVM |
| France | 2 | 0 | Active | Santé publique France |
| United Kingdom | 1 | 1 | Closed (fatal) | UKHSA |
| Germany | 1 | 0 | Active (stable) | RKI |
| Argentina (crew) | 1 | 0 | Active | MSAL |
| United States | 1 | 1 | Closed (fatal) | CDC |
| Canada | 1 | 0 | Active | Health Canada |
| New Zealand | 1 | 1 | Closed (fatal) | MoH NZ |
| Total (Hondius) | 11 | 3 | Active | WHO |
Note: Case-country assignment reflects the country where the patient was diagnosed and treated, not the patient’s nationality. Some patients may have been repatriated from Tenerife to their home country before positive test results.
South America — 2026 Hantavirus Season (HPS)
South American Andes virus and related strains cause seasonal hantavirus pulmonary syndrome outbreaks that peak in autumn (March–May). This is the region where Andes virus evolved and where most global HPS mortality occurs.
Argentina — The Epicentre
| Metric | 2026 (YTD to May 13) | 2025 full year | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Confirmed cases | 108 | 87 | +24% |
| Deaths | 35 | 28 | +25% |
| Case fatality rate | 32.4% | 32.2% | Stable |
| Primary provinces | Neuquén, Río Negro, Chubut | Same | — |
| Dominant strain | Andes virus | Andes virus | — |
Argentina’s 2026 season is running significantly above the five-year average. Elevated rodent populations following a wet winter and good food crop years have driven O. longicaudatus numbers up in Patagonia — the same ecological dynamic that has historically preceded high HPS seasons.
Source: PAHO/MSAL weekly epidemiological bulletin
Chile
| Metric | 2026 (YTD to May 13) |
|---|---|
| Confirmed cases | 11 |
| Deaths | 3 |
| Case fatality rate | 27.3% |
| Primary regions | Aysén, Los Lagos, La Araucanía |
Chile’s season is at baseline levels. The Aysén region — bordering Argentine Patagonia — accounts for the majority of cases. The country has issued updated travel advisories for outdoor workers in endemic zones.
Source: PAHO
Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay
PAHO reports sporadic Andes-lineage hantavirus cases across these countries but formal confirmed case counts are not yet available for 2026. Historical annual burden: Bolivia ~5–15 cases, Paraguay ~10–20, Uruguay ~5–10.
North America
United States — Sin Nombre Virus (HPS)
The US reports Sin Nombre virus HPS cases annually from western states. Sin Nombre is distinct from Andes virus — it does not spread person-to-person and has a different reservoir (deer mouse, Peromyscus maniculatus).
| Metric | 2026 YTD (to May 13) | Average annual |
|---|---|---|
| Confirmed HPS cases | 19 | ~20–30 |
| Deaths | 3 | ~7–10 |
| Primary states | New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, California | Same |
| Source | CDC |
One US case is Hondius-linked (Andes virus). The remaining 18 are domestically acquired Sin Nombre infections.
Canada — Sporadic Domestic + One Hondius Case
Canada typically records fewer than 5 Sin Nombre HPS cases per year in its western prairie provinces. The one confirmed 2026 Canadian case is the Hondius-linked Andes virus infection in British Columbia.
Europe — Endemic HFRS/NE (Puumala Dominant)
Europe’s hantavirus burden is primarily Nephropathia Epidemica (NE) caused by Puumala virus. These cases are mild-to-moderate with <1% mortality, tracked separately from HPS.
| Country | 2026 YTD confirmed | Dominant strain | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finland | ~1,800 | Puumala | THL |
| Russia (European) | ~500 | Puumala, Hantaan | Rospotrebnadzor |
| Sweden | ~420 | Puumala | FoHM |
| Germany | ~310 (endemic) + 2 Hondius | Puumala + Andes | RKI |
| France | ~90 (endemic) + 2 Hondius | Puumala + Andes | ANRS |
| Czech Republic | ~65 | Puumala | NIPH |
| Belgium | ~85 | Puumala | Sciensano |
| Netherlands | ~30 (endemic) + 2 Hondius | Puumala + Andes | RIVM |
| UK | 4 Hondius only | Andes | UKHSA |
European endemic figures are estimates based on partial 2026 reporting; final annual totals typically published in ECDC annual surveillance reports.
Asia
Asia’s hantavirus burden is dominated by Hantaan virus (HTNV) and Seoul virus, which cause Haemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS). China, South Korea, and Russia (Far East) account for the vast majority of global HFRS.
| Country | Estimated annual HFRS cases | Dominant strain |
|---|---|---|
| China | 10,000–20,000 | Hantaan, Seoul |
| South Korea | 300–500 | Hantaan, Seoul |
| Russia (Asian) | 1,000–2,000 | Puumala, Hantaan |
| Japan | <50 | Seoul |
China’s HFRS burden makes it the world’s largest hantavirus-endemic country by case count. However, HFRS mortality (~0.5–5%) is significantly lower than HPS (~35–50%).
Global Totals: Putting It All in Context
| Category | Estimated 2026 cases (YTD) | Mortality rate |
|---|---|---|
| MV Hondius Andes cluster | 11 | 27% (3/11) |
| HPS (S. America, HPS strains) | ~130+ | ~30–35% |
| HPS (North America, Sin Nombre) | ~19 | ~15–20% |
| HFRS (Europe, Puumala/Dobrava) | ~10,000–15,000 | <1% |
| HFRS (Asia, Hantaan/Seoul) | ~15,000–25,000 | 0.5–5% |
| Global estimated total | ~25,000–40,000 | ~1–3% blended |
The global blended mortality rate looks low because Puumala and Asian HFRS cases far outnumber HPS cases. For HPS specifically — the disease that the Hondius cluster is producing — mortality remains 25–40%.
Data compiled from WHO, PAHO, ECDC, CDC, RKI, RIVM, Santé publique France, Health Canada, and MoH New Zealand. Last updated 13 May 2026. Live case tracking available on our global map →
Explore HantavirusMap