The latest hantavirus outbreak reports, surveillance updates, and expert reactions — aggregated from WHO, CDC, ECDC, PAHO and major news outlets. Each entry links back to its primary source.
Argentina's 2026 hantavirus season remains at 121 confirmed cases and 38 deaths. PAHO reports no new confirmed case for a third consecutive day. Epidemiologists describe the current pattern as consistent with the post-peak low-transmission phase expected in mid-June, with remaining risk concentrated in highland-adjacent rural areas of Neuquén and Río Negro.
Argentina's 2026 hantavirus season registers no new confirmed cases for the second straight day, keeping the national total at 121 cases and 38 deaths. PAHO epidemiologists note this marks the fourth consecutive week of declining weekly notification rates, consistent with the expected June tail phase. Neuquén and Río Negro remain under standard seasonal surveillance.
PAHO reports Argentina's 2026 hantavirus season remains at 121 confirmed cases and 38 deaths. Weekly incidence has now declined for three consecutive weeks, and epidemiologists say the season is moving into its expected June tail phase.
CDC's weekly hantavirus bulletin keeps the US 2026 total at 24 confirmed HPS cases. Montana, Arizona, and Colorado remain the main watch areas as summer deer mouse exposure risk rises, but no person-to-person transmission or cruise-related linkage has been identified.
Chile's Ministry of Health formally closes the 2026 hantavirus season with 14 confirmed cases and 3 deaths. Surveillance remains active in Aysen and Patagonia, but officials say no new cases have appeared for more than two weeks and reservoir activity has dropped sharply.
Argentina's 2026 hantavirus season edges to 121 confirmed cases while deaths remain at 38. The weekly growth rate has slowed to near zero, reinforcing the projection that the seasonal crest passed in late May.
CDC confirms a new Arizona HPS case, raising the US 2026 total to 24 confirmed cases. The patient is a rural resident exposed during shed cleanup, reinforcing warnings about enclosed-space aerosol risk during the June-July season.
Argentina's weekly hantavirus review keeps the total at 120 confirmed cases and 38 deaths, with Neuquen and Rio Negro both showing continued decline. Epidemiologists say the outbreak footprint is shrinking toward the usual June seasonal tail.
Chile reports no new hantavirus cases and says a formal seasonal closeout notice is being prepared if surveillance remains unchanged through the first week of June. Reservoir indicators in Aysen and southern Patagonia continue to decline.
Argentina enters June with 120 confirmed cases and 38 deaths, and health officials say there is no sign of a late-season rebound. The outbreak curve continues to flatten after peaking in late May.
CDC says the US Southwest season closed May at 23 confirmed HPS cases, above recent averages but still below major outbreak years. Officials warn that exposure risk typically climbs in June as cabins, sheds, and camp structures are reopened.
Argentina's Ministry of Health says the post-peak decline is continuing, with the national total holding at 120 confirmed cases and 38 deaths. Surveillance teams say the current pattern is consistent with the expected June wind-down phase.
CDC releases its annual summer hantavirus advisory for the US Southwest, noting 23 confirmed HPS cases for 2026 with the peak risk window of June–July approaching. The advisory highlights elevated deer mouse activity in Montana, New Mexico, and Colorado and recommends heightened cabin and shed safety precautions.
CDC says the U.S. 2026 hantavirus season remains at 24 confirmed HPS cases entering the second week of June. Montana, Colorado, and New Mexico continue to account for the bulk of activity. The summer peak risk window remains open, but early-June counts are no longer rising as quickly as in late May.
PAHO reports that Argentina's 2026 hantavirus season remains at 121 confirmed cases and 38 deaths, with the national curve now clearly in a low-transmission phase. Neuquen and Rio Negro report sporadic surveillance activity only, and epidemiologists say the seasonal close is now the most likely June trajectory.
Chile's enhanced trapping campaign in the Aysen region closes without any new reservoir-density spike above seasonal expectations. Health officials say the 2026 season is effectively over at 14 confirmed cases and 3 deaths, with no new human cases detected since mid-May.
Argentina's 2026 hantavirus season remains stable at 121 confirmed cases and 38 deaths. The national curve continues to flatten, and the weekly addition rate is now down to sporadic single cases. Public health officials say the outbreak is shifting from seasonal acceleration to residual surveillance mode.
CDC confirms a new Sin Nombre virus HPS case in Montana, raising the U.S. 2026 season total to 24. The patient is hospitalized in stable condition. No person-to-person transmission is suspected, and the case is unrelated to the MV Hondius Andes virus cluster.
PAHO reports Argentina remains at 121 confirmed cases and 38 deaths. With a third straight week of lower incidence, the late-season downturn is now considered firmly established. Neuquen, Rio Negro, and Chubut continue to be monitored, but no renewed acceleration is expected.
Chile's Ministry of Health says the 2026 hantavirus season is now operationally closed at 14 confirmed cases and 3 deaths after more than two weeks without new detected infections. Aysen and southern Patagonia remain under routine surveillance, but enhanced response measures are being stepped down.
PAHO reports Argentina's 2026 hantavirus season has risen to 121 confirmed cases and 38 deaths after an isolated new detection in Rio Negro. Officials say the broader decline trend remains unchanged, with national incidence still far below the late-May peak.
PAHO says Argentina remains at 120 confirmed cases and 38 deaths as June surveillance begins. The weekly growth rate continues to fall, and the peak passed signal from late May remains unchanged. Health authorities are shifting from emergency footing toward residual seasonal monitoring.
CDC expands field surveillance for deer mouse activity in New Mexico and Arizona as the summer exposure window opens across the Southwest. Officials say the move is preventive rather than reactive, but emphasize that June and July typically bring the highest environmental exposure risk for Sin Nombre virus.
CDC releases its annual summer hantavirus advisory for the US Southwest, noting 23 confirmed HPS cases for 2026 with the peak risk window of June–July approaching. The advisory highlights elevated deer mouse activity in Montana, New Mexico, and Colorado and recommends heightened cabin and shed safety precautions.
Argentina's 2026 hantavirus season remains at 120 confirmed cases and 38 deaths, unchanged from the prior update. Neuquén province — historically the highest-burden region — is reporting zero new cases for the current week. The seasonal decline is proceeding as projected.
Chile's Ministry of Health reports no new confirmed hantavirus cases in the past 10 days. The 2026 season stands at 14 cases and 3 deaths. The Aysén region field monitoring programme confirms declining Oligoryzomys longicaudatus reservoir activity. Officials expect the season to close without further cases.
CDC confirms a new Sin Nombre virus HPS case in Colorado, raising the US 2026 season total to 23 confirmed cases. The patient, a rural resident in Montrose County, is hospitalised in stable condition. No link to the MV Hondius cluster has been identified.
PAHO confirms Argentina's 2026 hantavirus season has entered a second consecutive week of declining incidence. Total confirmed cases reach 120 with 38 deaths. The week-over-week case addition rate has fallen from a peak of 8–10 per week to 1–2 per week. A June seasonal close is projected.
PAHO and Argentina's Ministry of Health confirm the 2026 hantavirus season has reached 119 confirmed cases and 38 deaths, with the week-over-week incidence rate declining for the first time since late April. Epidemiologists say the seasonal peak has passed.
Chile's field monitoring programme in the Aysén region reports a measurable decline in Oligoryzomys longicaudatus trap indices compared to peak April levels. The autumn season shift is reducing rodent surface activity, and field teams expect risk exposure to normalise through June.
CDC reports no new confirmed HPS cases in the U.S. Southwest for the fifth consecutive day. At 22 confirmed cases for 2026, the season is running above recent averages but may be plateauing. Surveillance continues in Montana, New Mexico, and Colorado.
PAHO's epidemiological modelling team projects Argentina's 2026 hantavirus season will close the week at approximately 119 confirmed cases with early signs of peak transition. The week-over-week growth rate has slowed significantly from the early-May acceleration.
PAHO reports Argentina's 2026 hantavirus season has reached 118 confirmed cases and 38 deaths. The week-on-week growth rate has slowed slightly, offering the first indication that the late-May seasonal peak may be approaching its apex.
PAHO reports Argentina's 2026 hantavirus season has reached 117 confirmed cases and 38 deaths. Neuquén province still accounts for the majority of cases. Epidemiological trends suggest the seasonal peak is extending into late May, with a gradual decline expected in June.
CDC says the 2026 U.S. Southwest season remains at 22 confirmed cases after the latest Colorado bulletin. No linkage to the MV Hondius cluster has been identified; monitoring continues in Montana and New Mexico.
RIVM confirms a third Dutch MV Hondius passenger has tested positive for Andes virus, raising the global Hondius total to 17 confirmed cases. Patient is hospitalised in Rotterdam in stable condition. Extended 60-day monitoring has begun for all household contacts.
CDC confirms one new domestically acquired HPS case in Colorado, bringing the US 2026 total to 22. No epidemiological link to MV Hondius has been identified.
Chile's Ministry of Health confirms a 14th hantavirus case this season. The Aysen field response has expanded community screening and rodent-control operations in affected rural zones.
Environmental monitoring in Chile's Aysén region shows Oligoryzomys longicaudatus population density exceeding the recognised HPS outbreak threshold (10% trap positivity index). Authorities have deployed 1,200 additional traps across five rural municipalities linked to the 2026 cluster of four cases. Community alerts and building-seal guidance distributed.
CDC confirms new cases in Montana and New Mexico — both domestically acquired, unrelated to Hondius. The US 2026 HPS season now stands at 21 confirmed cases, the highest since 2012.
A second household contact of a French Hondius patient tests positive; genomic sequencing confirms sequences identical to the index case and distinct from cargo-source sequences. France now has two confirmed P2P events — more than any other affected country.
Dutch National Institute for Public Health confirms a second MV Hondius passenger has tested positive for Andes virus — the 16th confirmed case globally. Patient hospitalised in Amsterdam in moderate condition. Household contact tracing underway.
Chile confirms a 13th hantavirus case for 2026. Four cases this season are linked to a single rural farming community in Aysén. Field teams deployed for rodent trapping and environmental assessment; community residents advised to seal buildings.
A second household contact of a French Hondius passenger develops fever and myalgia and is hospitalised. RT-PCR and sequencing results expected within 24 hours. If confirmed, this would be France's second P2P event.
Italy's Istituto Superiore di Sanità confirms the country's first Hondius case — an Italian passenger hospitalised at Rome's Spallanzani Institute in stable condition. The 15th confirmed case globally; Italy is the 10th country affected.
Robert Koch Institute confirms the final MV Hondius contact under observation in Germany has tested positive for Andes virus — the 14th confirmed case globally. The patient, also from Munich, is hospitalised in stable condition. Germany now has three confirmed Hondius Andes cases.
Chile's Ministry of Health confirms a 12th hantavirus case for 2026, in the Aysén region bordering Argentine Patagonia. Three of Chile's four Aysén cases this season are linked to a single rural community. Enhanced rodent surveillance activated in the region.
Swiss Federal Office of Public Health confirms a returning MV Hondius passenger has tested positive for Andes virus — the 13th confirmed case globally and Switzerland's first hantavirus case on record. Patient in Zurich hospital isolation in serious condition.
Sciensano confirms a returning MV Hondius passenger is positive for Andes virus — Belgium's first hantavirus case. Patient hospitalised at UZ Leuven in stable condition in isolation.
ECDC raises EU/EEA risk level to HIGH after France confirms person-to-person Andes virus transmission in a Lyon household. Immediate enhanced precautions called for at all EU healthcare facilities treating Hondius-linked cases.
Santé publique France confirms P2P Andes virus transmission in a Lyon couple, both MV Hondius passengers. Genomic analysis shows the second patient's virus is a direct descendant of the index case's strain — the first confirmed P2P event in the Hondius outbreak.
Robert Koch Institute confirms one of three MV Hondius passengers previously flagged as symptomatic has tested positive for Andes virus — the 11th confirmed case globally. The patient, hospitalised in Munich, is in stable condition. Two remaining contacts remain under observation.
PAHO weekly bulletin: Argentina's 2026 hantavirus season climbs to 108 confirmed cases and 35 deaths. Neuquén and Río Negro provinces account for 61% of cases. Andes virus remains the dominant circulating strain.
Dutch RIVM confirms a second MV Hondius passenger has tested positive for Andes virus, bringing the global case count to 9. The patient is in isolation at Amsterdam UMC. Both Dutch cases are listed in stable condition.
Santé publique France announces a second confirmed Andes virus case linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship. The patient, a resident of Lyon, is hospitalised in a negative-pressure isolation unit.
PAHO's weekly epidemiological bulletin reports Argentina's 2026 hantavirus season has reached 106 confirmed cases and 34 deaths. The majority are HPS cases in southern Patagonia provinces, coinciding with elevated rodent populations after wet season.
New Zealand's Ministry of Health confirms a passenger who disembarked from MV Hondius has tested positive for Andes virus — the country's first ever confirmed hantavirus case. The patient is in intensive care in Auckland.
Health Canada confirms a returning passenger has tested positive for Andes virus, becoming the 8th confirmed case linked to the MV Hondius outbreak. The patient is hospitalised in stable condition in British Columbia.
WHO's emergency expert panel finds 'limited but not conclusive' evidence of Andes virus person-to-person transmission aboard MV Hondius. Full genome sequencing results expected within 72 hours.
PAHO's latest weekly bulletin counts 104 hantavirus cases in Argentina for the 2026 season, including cases linked to the MV Hondius crew member confirmed on May 10.
Argentine health ministry reports a seventh case connected to the MV Hondius outbreak — a crew member who disembarked in Buenos Aires before the outbreak was declared. The patient is in stable condition.
WHO convened an emergency technical consultation with virologists to assess evidence for person-to-person Andes virus transmission aboard MV Hondius, calling it a 'critical unknown' requiring urgent study.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control published a rapid risk assessment concluding the overall risk to the general European public is 'low', but 'moderate' for direct contacts of confirmed cases.
WHO confirms 6 hantavirus cases aboard MV Hondius, with 3 deaths. Over 11 countries are now tracing passengers who disembarked before the outbreak was confirmed. The ship is hours away from docking at Tenerife.
The U.S. State Department is arranging a charter flight from Tenerife to repatriate American citizens aboard MV Hondius after the vessel docks. Passengers will be tested before boarding.
Residents and local officials in Tenerife express frustration over the decision to allow MV Hondius to dock, calling it 'reckless'. Spanish authorities insist safety protocols are in place.
Spanish health authorities outline a phased disembarkation plan for MV Hondius passengers in Tenerife, with symptom screening, isolation facilities for suspected cases, and coordinated repatriation flights for passengers from multiple countries.
A detailed account of events aboard MV Hondius: how weeks passed between the first death and official hantavirus confirmation, what life was like for those quarantined at sea, and how passenger numbers shrank as evacuations proceeded.
At least 16 countries spanning North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania are now monitoring passengers who disembarked MV Hondius at various stops. Singapore reports two passengers tested negative.
Argentine health authorities say the hantavirus cases are unlikely to have originated in Tierra del Fuego province, redirecting the investigation toward Patagonian excursion sites further north along the voyage route.
The CDC has activated its 24/7 Emergency Operations Center at Level 3 in response to the MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak. At least 5 U.S. states are monitoring returning passengers. Three deaths confirmed; ~140 passengers still aboard heading for Tenerife.
WHO confirms the strain on the stranded vessel as Andes orthohantavirus — the only hantavirus with documented person-to-person transmission. Eight cases, three deaths confirmed.
Spanish authorities prepare medical evacuation procedures as MV Hondius sails toward Tenerife with confirmed Andes virus patients aboard.
A new suspected hantavirus case emerges on a remote island as authorities continue tracing all passengers who disembarked from MV Hondius at various ports.
Major cruise lines issue precautionary health statements and review boarding screening protocols in response to the MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak.
AP confirms eight positive Andes virus cases among passengers and crew of the Dutch-flagged expedition vessel MV Hondius. Three fatalities recorded.
Public health teams across six countries are racing to identify and notify all individuals who had close contact with confirmed Andes virus patients from MV Hondius.
Travel health experts advise cruise and outdoor adventure travellers on hantavirus risk assessment, symptom monitoring, and when to seek medical evaluation.
A Texas mother whose daughter survived hantavirus pulmonary syndrome speaks out about early symptom recognition as the MV Hondius outbreak draws worldwide attention.
Additional passengers from MV Hondius have tested positive for Andes hantavirus, raising the total confirmed case count to eight with three deaths.
A flight attendant on a connecting flight carrying an MV Hondius passenger who later died has been hospitalised for observation. Test results are pending.
Georgia Department of Public Health is monitoring two residents who were aboard MV Hondius. Both are currently asymptomatic but remain under observation.
Roughly 40 passengers disembarked MV Hondius at St. Helena island before the outbreak was identified, complicating contact tracing efforts across multiple continents.
Argentine health ministry investigates how Andes virus entered MV Hondius, suspected to originate from shore excursions in Patagonia. Some passengers have already returned to the US.
Spain authorised MV Hondius to dock at Tenerife after Cape Verde denied entry. Passengers placed under medical surveillance pending test results.
Swiss Federal Office of Public Health confirmed one returning MV Hondius passenger positive for Andes virus, bringing the international confirmed case total to eight.
Two UK passengers who disembarked from MV Hondius are self-isolating under NHS guidance following confirmed Andes virus cases on board.
ECDC publishes rapid risk assessment for European Member States regarding the MV Hondius Andes virus outbreak. Overall risk to the general public assessed as low.
CDC issues HAN advisory to clinicians: monitor returned cruise passengers from MV Hondius for hantavirus symptoms for up to 8 weeks post-exposure.
Pan American Health Organization epidemiological update: Argentina's 2026 hantavirus season has surpassed 100 cases, driven by elevated rodent activity following La Niña conditions.
Chile's Ministry of Health reports 14 confirmed HPS cases concentrated in the southern Los Lagos region. Two fatalities recorded among rural agricultural workers.
Finland recorded over 3,700 Puumala virus HFRS cases in 2025 — the highest in a decade — driven by a three-year bank vole population peak.
Bolivia's Ministry of Health confirms three HPS cases in the Beni department in January 2026, linked to a single rural farming household. No deaths reported.
France's Santé Publique France reports a localised cluster of Puumala virus HFRS in the Ardennes forest region. Forestry workers and campers most affected.
WHO and IAATO inspectors are now in transit to Rotterdam ahead of the June 12 final biosafety inspection of MV Hondius. The joint team will assess the newly installed onboard PCR laboratory, two dedicated isolation cabins, rodent exclusion modifications, and crew biosafety certification records. A pass certificate is required before any conditional return-to-service approval can be issued.
ECDC confirms the MV Hondius Andes virus cluster has now reached day 22 without a new confirmed case. The LOW-risk review classification remains unchanged. ECDC states it will issue a formal update only after the June 12 inspection outcome is known. The residual monitored cohort — principally later-exposed crew and cabin contacts — remains fully asymptomatic.
The WHO-IMO joint taskforce confirms the Antarctic expedition vessel biosafety code has entered its final editorial and translation stage following successful legal review. The full draft — covering mandatory PCR capability, isolation cabins, rodent exclusion protocols, and crew health surveillance — is on track for June 20 release. IAATO and national maritime authorities have been notified to prepare formal adoption procedures.
CDC has refreshed its 2026 Southwest hantavirus risk map, upgrading Coconino County (Arizona) and San Juan County (Utah) to elevated risk based on deer mouse population indices above the outbreak threshold. The US 2026 total remains at 24 confirmed cases and 3 deaths. Officials note June 10 marks the statistical midpoint of the June-July high-risk window and urge outdoor workers and campers to follow N95 and rodent-exclusion protocols.
WHO and IAATO inspectors confirm travel and documentation arrangements for the June 12 final biosafety inspection of MV Hondius in Rotterdam. The inspection team will verify PCR lab certification, isolation cabin standards, crew training records, and rodent exclusion documentation. Clearance for a conditional return to service is expected within 48 hours of inspection completion.
WHO and IMO confirm that the legal review of the draft Antarctic expedition vessel biosafety code has been completed with no structural changes required. The consolidated text — covering mandatory onboard PCR capability, isolation cabins, rodent exclusion, and crew health surveillance — will be released for final stakeholder sign-off on June 20 as scheduled.
ECDC confirms the MV Hondius Andes virus cluster has reached day 21 without a new confirmed case. The LOW-risk review classification is maintained. The remaining monitored cohort — primarily later-cabin and crew contacts not yet past 60-day follow-up — is asymptomatic. ECDC does not expect any further classification changes before June 12 inspection results.
CDC issues a pre-peak hantavirus advisory for Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah as the June-July high-risk window deepens. The US 2026 total remains at 24 confirmed cases and 3 deaths, with no new case in five days. The advisory emphasises N95 use during cabin opening, rodent exclusion before camping, and immediate care-seeking for fever and myalgia following any rodent exposure.
ECDC says the MV Hondius Andes virus cluster has now gone 20 days without a new confirmed case and has entered formal LOW risk review. All monitored contacts remain symptom-free, and the 60-day follow-up protocol continues only for a small residual cohort.
WHO confirms that the final joint biosafety inspection of MV Hondius will take place on June 12 in Rotterdam. Inspectors will verify onboard PCR workflows, isolation cabin readiness, crew certification records, and rodent exclusion controls before any passenger service restart is approved.
Oceanwide Expeditions says construction of the two dedicated isolation cabins aboard MV Hondius has been completed. Final commissioning now focuses on air-handling validation, waste routing, and staff drill rehearsal ahead of the June 12 inspection.
IAATO distributes an interim expedition vessel audit checklist covering pre-embarkation screening, onboard PCR pathways, isolation cabin readiness, and rodent-proof supply handling. The document is meant to bridge operations until the final WHO-IMO code is adopted.
ECDC reports that 99% of all identified Hondius contacts have remained symptom-free throughout follow-up. Only a small final cohort remains under active 60-day monitoring, and no tertiary transmission has been documented anywhere in Europe.
All MV Hondius bridge, hotel, and expedition staff assigned to the next season have completed WHO-aligned biosafety training and certification in Rotterdam. Training included isolation response drills, onboard PCR workflow escalation, and cabin contamination control procedures.
WHO says the joint maritime biosafety code for Antarctic expedition vessels is now more than 60% complete. Draft chapters on diagnostics, quarantine routing, and port resupply controls have cleared internal review ahead of the June 20 circulation target.
Germany's Robert Koch Institute says its last open Hondius-related contact monitoring file has closed without further positives. The German total remains unchanged, and authorities say the national response has moved fully into documentation and lessons-learned review.
Dutch public health authorities say the last active Hondius monitoring cohort in the Netherlands has completed follow-up without symptoms or positive tests. The country remains at 8 confirmed linked cases, with no sign of onward transmission.
IAATO says its interim expedition biosafety rules have now formally entered force for member operators. The package requires documented isolation pathways, enhanced passenger screening, and proof of outbreak-response training while the WHO-IMO code is finalized.
ECDC says a further downgrade of the Hondius cluster from MODERATE to LOW could be considered after the next mid-June monitoring milestone if no late positives emerge. The agency says the residual risk is now concentrated in a shrinking number of close-contact follow-up files.
The MV Hondius Rotterdam refit has entered validation phase after completion of the isolation cabin framing and PCR workflow routing. Remaining work focuses on negative-pressure verification, sample chain-of-custody logging, and crew drill rehearsal.
France says all enhanced tertiary surveillance linked to the two confirmed household P2P events has now closed with no further transmission detected. Officials say the finding strengthens the view that Andes person-to-person spread remained limited to very close household exposure.
WHO says the joint Antarctic expedition biosafety code remains on track, with a mid-June checkpoint set to resolve remaining wording on diagnostics, onboard isolation capacity, and port-state inspection responsibilities.
A full PCR workflow rehearsal aboard MV Hondius has been completed in Rotterdam without major deficiencies. The rehearsal covered sample intake, onboard testing, isolation decision points, and reporting escalation to port and flag-state authorities.
WHO and IAATO publish the inspection criteria that will be used for expedition vessels seeking clearance ahead of the 2026-2027 Antarctic season. The checklist draws directly from the MV Hondius outbreak and covers diagnostics, isolation capacity, crew training, and port-side rodent control.
ECDC says fewer than 10 active Hondius-related follow-up files remain open across the EU after another week with no new confirmed cases. The agency says the cluster is steadily moving from active surveillance into formal after-action review.
ECDC's weekly bulletin confirms the MV Hondius Andes virus cluster remains at LOW risk after 20 days without any new linked cases. Nearly all monitored contacts have now passed the infectious window without symptoms, and no tertiary transmission has been detected anywhere in Europe.
WHO confirms that only the final small cohort of late-identified close contacts remains under active 60-day monitoring in the Hondius response. Earlier contact groups in France, the Netherlands, Germany, and the UK have cleared surveillance without new positives.
The initial consultation round for the Antarctic expedition vessel biosafety code closes with broad operator support for onboard PCR capability, isolation cabin minimums, and rodent exclusion protocols. WHO says the drafting group will move into final reconciliation ahead of the June 20 text release.
ECDC formally lowers the EU/EEA risk classification for the MV Hondius cluster from MODERATE to LOW. The decision follows the clearance of the last Dutch and French high-priority monitoring cohorts and the continued absence of new cases or tertiary transmission.
Oceanwide Expeditions says all MV Hondius crew assigned to future Antarctic itineraries have completed the new biosafety certification programme required by WHO and IAATO. Training covered onboard PCR workflow, isolation procedures, passenger triage, and environmental rodent control standards.
CDC publishes a June rodent-cleanup reminder aimed at cabin owners, campers, and seasonal workers across the U.S. Southwest after the 2026 total reaches 24 confirmed HPS cases. The advisory repeats wet-cleaning and N95 guidance and warns against opening closed sheds or cabins without prior ventilation.
WHO says more than 60 written submissions have been received during the Antarctic expedition vessel biosafety consultation process. The drafting team is now moving the consolidated text into legal and maritime compliance review while preserving the June 20 target for the first formal draft.
WHO and IAATO schedule a joint inspection of MV Hondius for June 9 in Rotterdam to verify its new PCR laboratory, isolation spaces, ventilation adjustments, and rodent exclusion controls. A successful inspection would complete the technical side of the vessel's return-to-service pathway.
French health authorities formally close tertiary contact tracing related to the two confirmed household transmission events linked to MV Hondius. No onward transmission beyond the known secondary cases was detected, reinforcing the view that Andes virus spread remained limited to sustained close contact settings.
ECDC says the first 60-day monitoring cohorts linked to MV Hondius have now exited surveillance without symptoms or positive results. With no new cases since May 19, the agency says a further downgrade to LOW risk is under formal review.
WHO releases the diagnostics and isolation chapters of the Antarctic expedition vessel biosafety code for focused stakeholder comment. The text includes minimum assay turnaround standards, staffing requirements for onboard testing, and a two-cabin isolation baseline for vessels in remote polar waters.
Oceanwide Expeditions says structural work on the two dedicated isolation cabins required for MV Hondius has been completed in Rotterdam. Final furnishing, signage, and negative-pressure validation remain pending ahead of joint WHO-IAATO inspection.
RIVM says the earliest Dutch monitoring cohorts linked to MV Hondius have completed active follow-up without any symptoms or positive tests. The remaining later-exposure cohorts stay under the 60-day protocol, but no new Dutch cases have been detected since the 17th global case was announced on May 19.
IAATO adopts an interim checklist for port-side rodent exclusion, cargo handling, and gangway sanitation to be applied across member vessels ahead of the 2026-27 Antarctic season. The checklist was developed directly from the findings of the Hondius outbreak investigation.
ECDC says no new Hondius-linked positives have been detected through day 13 after the cluster was downgraded to MODERATE risk. Monitoring remains active across several countries, but the epidemiological signal continues to weaken rather than widen.
WHO and IMO open a targeted consultation round with Antarctic expedition operators, ship registries, and flag states to resolve implementation details in the new biosafety code. Discussion points include verification audits, crew certification renewal, and the minimum size of onboard isolation spaces.
CDC says the Colorado patient announced on May 26 remains in stable condition and investigators have found no evidence of secondary exposure to household members or healthcare workers. The case continues to fit the normal Sin Nombre rodent-to-human exposure pattern.
ECDC says active monitoring has now reached day 12 since the last newly confirmed Hondius case without detecting any additional positives. The absence of new cases continues to support the post-peak interpretation of the cluster's European transmission risk.
WHO publishes the working timeline for MV Hondius's Rotterdam biosafety refit, setting an early-June inspection target pending completion of PCR, isolation, and ventilation upgrades. The timeline is intended to anchor the vessel's return-to-service conditions in a transparent public schedule.
The WHO-IMO joint taskforce reports that approximately 40% of the Antarctic expedition vessel biosafety code sections have been finalised, with the first working draft still on track for the June 20 stakeholder deadline. The vessel sanitation and rodent exclusion chapters are complete; PCR and isolation capacity sections are in final review.
ECDC's weekly communicable disease bulletin confirms the Hondius cluster risk classification at MODERATE following the May 28 downgrade. No new Andes virus cases linked to the cluster have been detected since May 19. Over 95% of monitored contacts have now passed the 30-day midpoint symptom-free.
ECDC publishes a revised rapid risk assessment formally downgrading the MV Hondius Andes virus cluster risk for the EU/EEA from HIGH to MODERATE. The decision reflects 10 days without new confirmed cases, the absence of tertiary transmission in France, and the progress of contact monitoring. The 60-day surveillance protocol remains in place.
Oceanwide Expeditions confirms that the onboard PCR laboratory installation in MV Hondius has been completed at the Rotterdam shipyard. Isolation cabin construction work has commenced and is expected to be finished within 10 days. WHO and IAATO will conduct a joint inspection before the vessel is cleared to resume passenger operations.
ECDC reports that 93% of contacts identified under the expanded Hondius tracing protocols have now passed the 30-day midpoint without symptoms or positive tests. A formal risk classification review has been initiated, with a downgrade from HIGH to MODERATE under consideration for May 28.
The WHO-IMO joint taskforce convenes its second working session in Geneva. Key agenda items include mandatory PCR specification language, flag state inspection mechanisms, and SOLAS amendment pathways. The June 20 target for the first working draft is confirmed as achievable.
MV Hondius has arrived at the Rotterdam shipyard to begin its mandatory biosafety refit. Work includes installation of an onboard RT-PCR diagnostic laboratory, construction of two dedicated isolation cabins, and rodent exclusion infrastructure upgrades. A WHO and IAATO joint inspection will be required before the vessel resumes passenger service.
WHO confirms all 17 confirmed MV Hondius cases have either been discharged from hospital or transitioned to community recovery. The cluster outbreak status moves from active to monitoring. Surveillance of contacts continues under 60-day protocol.
The WHO-IMO joint taskforce publishes its first working draft of the Antarctic expedition vessel biosafety code, covering mandatory PCR capacity, isolation cabin requirements, rodent exclusion at provisioning ports, and crew health certification. Stakeholder consultation opens for 30 days.
MV Hondius has departed Santa Cruz de Tenerife and is in transit to Rotterdam, where biosafety infrastructure upgrades — including onboard PCR laboratory installation and isolation cabin construction — will be completed before the vessel's return to service.
ECDC reports that the majority of contacts identified under expanded Hondius tracing protocols have now passed the 30-day midpoint of the 60-day monitoring window without reporting symptoms or positive results. No new confirmed Hondius-linked cases have emerged since May 19.
WHO grants conditional return-to-service approval for MV Hondius. Conditions include installation of onboard PCR diagnostic capacity, minimum two isolation cabins, mandatory crew hantavirus training certification, and pre-embarkation passenger health screening for all future Antarctic expeditions.
The WHO-IMO joint taskforce confirms a June 20 deadline for the first working draft of the Antarctic expedition vessel biosafety code. The final enforceable standard is targeted for adoption before the 2026–2027 Antarctic cruise season opens in October.
WHO formally approves the MV Hondius biosafety compliance submission, clearing the vessel for return to service once onboard PCR and isolation infrastructure upgrades are physically completed in Rotterdam. A firm departure date is expected within 48 hours.
Oceanwide Expeditions submits its biosafety compliance package to WHO for formal review. The document covers onboard PCR capacity, isolation cabin specifications, crew training certification, and IAATO protocol alignment. A WHO decision on return-to-service approval is expected within five working days.
ECDC's revised rapid risk assessment formally integrates the pre-symptomatic Andes virus RNA finding into EU/EEA contact-tracing guidance. The document upgrades the exposure window to 14 days before symptom onset, expands monitoring eligibility beyond household contacts, and maintains the HIGH risk classification for the Hondius cluster.
CDC releases a clinical workflow for emergency departments and ICU teams treating suspected hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, emphasizing early oxygenation, rapid escalation, and repeat testing when early results are negative.
WHO clarifies that hantavirus spread depends on inhaling aerosolized particles from contaminated dust, droppings, or nesting material in enclosed spaces rather than sustained airborne transmission in the classic sense.
A new review compares hantavirus case fatality rates with Ebola, Marburg, and Nipah, noting that Andes and Sin Nombre remain high-risk but do not share the same transmission dynamics as the classic airborne-feared hemorrhagic viruses.
WHO and IMO convene their first joint taskforce meeting in Geneva to turn the interim Antarctic expedition biosafety recommendations into an implementation schedule before the next cruise season.
French health authorities report no symptoms among third-generation contacts linked to the two confirmed P2P secondary cases. Serial testing and household precautions continue under the 60-day protocol.
Rome's Spallanzani Institute says the Italian Hondius patient remains clinically stable after stepping down from high-dependency care. No secondary positives have been announced among monitored household contacts.
RIVM says the third Dutch MV Hondius passenger remains hospitalised in Rotterdam in stable condition. Household contacts are being monitored under the extended 60-day protocol.
PAHO says Argentina's 2026 hantavirus season is holding near a late-May seasonal peak, with the national total unchanged at 116 confirmed cases and 38 deaths.
ECDC advises EU/EEA health authorities to expand contact tracing and household precautions after pre-symptomatic Andes RNA was detected in Hondius-associated cases within 48-72 hours of symptom onset.
WHO and the International Maritime Organization announce a joint taskforce to convert interim expedition biosafety recommendations into enforceable maritime standards before the 2026-2027 Antarctic season. Draft text expected within 30 days.
PAHO's daily surveillance update reports Argentina at 116 confirmed HPS cases and 38 deaths in 2026. Epidemiologists still project the seasonal peak window in late May.
French authorities report no symptoms among third-generation contacts tied to the two confirmed P2P secondary cases. Surveillance and serial testing continue under the 60-day protocol.
Rome's Spallanzani Institute says Italy's Hondius patient has been stepped down from high-dependency care and remains clinically stable. Household contacts remain negative to date.
RKI reports no additional positive tests after Germany's enhanced tracing phase. Remaining high-exposure contacts continue under WHO-recommended extended monitoring.
ECDC publishes a technical brief advising stricter household masking and ventilation measures for high-risk contacts, following pre-symptomatic RNA detection findings from Hondius-associated cases.
Oceanwide states that MV Hondius remains in Tenerife while operational and medical protocols are revalidated against WHO and IAATO requirements. No restart date has been announced.
Spain's Ministry of Health has formally signed the MV Hondius decontamination clearance certificate. All environmental surfaces, air handling systems, and cargo compartments have tested negative for Andes virus RNA. The vessel remains in Tenerife pending operator decisions on return to service. Medical monitoring of all 16 confirmed cases and their contacts continues unaffected.
WHO has released the full 28-page document of its emergency expert panel's interim biosafety recommendations for Antarctic and sub-Antarctic expedition vessels, covering onboard PCR diagnostics, isolation infrastructure, pre-embarkation screening protocols, and cargo handling procedures. Recommendations are designated 'interim' and will be reviewed before the 2026–2027 season.
ECDC's technical working group reports detecting Andes virus RNA in nasal swab samples taken from two Hondius cases approximately 48–72 hours before symptom onset. This is consistent with the French P2P transmission timeline and suggests a pre-symptomatic infectious window. Finding supports the 60-day extended monitoring protocol and justifies household contact restrictions during late incubation.
Germany's Robert Koch Institute confirms all household contacts of its three Hondius cases have passed the 21-day initial monitoring window with negative results. Two contacts with the most sustained exposure continue under WHO's extended 60-day protocol. No additional German cases are anticipated.
Both confirmed P2P secondary cases in France have been downgraded from ICU to general ward. Both patients are alert and responding to supportive therapy. Full discharge is not yet confirmed. Santé publique France continues monitoring third-generation contacts — all currently asymptomatic.
In response to WHO's interim findings, the CDC has updated its domestic HPS contact guidance to align with the 60-day monitoring period recommended by WHO. CDC also issues updated guidance for healthcare workers treating HPS patients, including airborne precautions during intubation and bronchoscopy procedures.
RIVM has identified and begun monitoring all household contacts of the Dutch 16th case, confirmed May 17. All contacts are currently asymptomatic at the 48-hour mark. Monitoring will continue for 60 days. The patient remains hospitalised in Amsterdam in moderate but stable condition.
Rome's Spallanzani Institute reports the Italian Hondius patient — the 15th confirmed case globally — is continuing to improve and is now in mild rather than moderate condition. A household contact tested negative at day 5 but remains under the full 60-day monitoring protocol per WHO guidance.
PAHO's epidemiological analysis of Argentina's 2026 HPS season suggests the outbreak is approaching its seasonal peak, consistent with historical patterns for Patagonian Andes virus transmission. The weekly case rate has plateaued over the past seven days at 115 total cases / 38 deaths. A gradual decline is expected by early June as winter conditions reduce rodent activity.
Nature Reviews Microbiology publishes an expedited review of Andes virus P2P transmission biology, drawing on the Hondius cluster and historical South American data. The review recommends mandatory onboard RT-PCR capacity, BSL-2-rated isolation cabins, and pre-voyage serological screening for all Antarctic expedition vessels.
ECDC asks EU/EEA member states to broaden Hondius contact tracing beyond household members to any individual with more than one hour of indoor close contact with a confirmed case within 14 days of their return from the voyage.
WHO's two-day emergency expert panel publishes interim recommendations: onboard RT-PCR diagnostics, a dedicated medical isolation cabin, and pre-embarkation health screening at all Patagonian ports are now minimum standards for Antarctic and sub-Antarctic expedition vessels.
All final environmental swab samples from MV Hondius have returned negative. The formal decontamination clearance certificate is expected to be issued May 18 as announced. The vessel remains in Tenerife pending certification and return-to-service decisions.
PAHO Saturday bulletin: Argentina's 2026 season advances to 115 confirmed cases and 38 deaths after two new fatalities in Río Negro province. Seasonal peak expected within two weeks before gradual decline.
UK Health Security Agency confirms all household and close contacts of the four British Hondius cases have tested negative at the 21-day mark. Monitoring continues to 60 days per WHO guidance. No further UK cases anticipated.
A Lancet editorial argues the Hondius cluster reveals a systemic gap in expedition vessel medical infrastructure, calling for mandatory pre-voyage risk assessment, onboard diagnostics, and international treaty-level biosafety standards beyond IAATO's voluntary framework.
PAHO Friday bulletin: Argentina's 2026 season reaches 114 confirmed cases and 38 deaths. New fatality in Río Negro. Northern Patagonia (Neuquén, Río Negro, Chubut) accounts for 78% of this season's cases.
IAATO requires all member operators to implement pre-voyage medical questionnaires, cargo-area rodent exclusion protocols, and 14-day post-voyage health monitoring for passengers visiting Patagonian ports. Framework effective for all voyages departing after June 1, 2026.
WHO opens a two-day emergency expert panel in Geneva with virologists, expedition medicine specialists, IMO representatives, and national health officials to develop binding biosafety recommendations for Antarctic expedition vessels.
Following France's confirmed P2P transmission, WHO extends recommended monitoring period for household contacts of Hondius cases from 21 to 60 days. The extension accounts for the possibility of late-onset secondary infections in household members exposed to symptomatic patients near the 42-day incubation boundary.
ECDC publishes updated rapid risk assessment for the Hondius Andes virus cluster. HIGH risk level maintained for EU/EEA. Assessment now formally documents the France P2P event, notes 14 confirmed cases across 11 countries, and calls for systematic household contact tracing across all affected nations.
Nature Medicine rapid correspondence estimates Andes virus household secondary attack rate and basic reproduction number (R₀ ≈ 0.5) based on the Hondius cluster and historical Argentine/Chilean data. R₀ below 1.0 indicates the virus cannot sustain person-to-person chains without continued environmental exposure — reassuring for pandemic risk assessment.
Following the confirmed Lyon P2P case, Santé publique France extends monitoring to 8 additional household contacts of all four confirmed French Hondius cases. RT-PCR and serology testing offered immediately; 60-day follow-up initiated. No new confirmed cases among household contacts as of May 15.
Swiss Federal Office of Public Health reports the 13th confirmed Hondius case — hospitalised in Zurich — has been upgraded from serious to stable. Patient remains in isolation. Swiss authorities begin household contact assessment.
Spain's Ministry of Health confirms final environmental surface swab samples from MV Hondius have returned negative for Andes virus. Decontamination is on track for a May 18 clearance certificate. The vessel remains in Tenerife; decisions on return to service expected after certification.
PAHO weekly bulletin: Argentina's 2026 hantavirus season advances to 112 confirmed cases and 37 deaths. Neuquén province leads with 44 cases. The season remains elevated compared to the five-year average. Rodent control measures expanded in rural Patagonian communities.
US CDC upgrades its travel advisory for Argentine and Chilean Patagonia to Level 2 (Practice Enhanced Precautions) citing the elevated 2026 hantavirus season and confirmed rodent contamination in the region linked to the Hondius outbreak. Travellers advised to avoid enclosed rural spaces and seek immediate care for fever or myalgia.
Spain confirms MV Hondius decontamination is 60% complete. Revised clearance date set for May 18, two days ahead of the original May 20 estimate. All three contaminated below-deck areas treated; surface sampling under way.
Robert Koch Institute confirms a second of three originally monitored MV Hondius contacts in Germany has tested negative. One contact remains under observation with repeat RT-PCR due within 48 hours.
Lancet editorial examines whether confirmed Andes P2P transmission warrants updates to pandemic preparedness frameworks. Calls for accelerated vaccine pipeline investment and systematic rodent surveillance at Patagonian ports.
International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators commits all member vessels to WHO's interim biosafety protocols: mandatory rodent inspections before Patagonian departures, below-deck ventilation standards, and 45-day passenger monitoring.
PAHO mid-week bulletin: Argentina's 2026 season advances to 110 cases and 36 deaths. Neuquén province remains hardest-hit with 43 confirmed cases. Seasonal transmission expected to persist through June.
US CDC updates Andes virus P2P transmission guidance: confirms household contact as a transmission route based on the France Lyon cluster. Healthcare facilities treating Andes virus patients advised to implement droplet and contact precautions upon clinical suspicion.
WHO releases interim technical guidance covering rodent surveillance, ventilation standards, and passenger health monitoring requirements for expedition cruise vessels operating in Andes virus-endemic regions. Applicable immediately for southern hemisphere season.
Spain's Ministry of Health releases the Hondius shipboard investigation report: long-tailed pygmy rice rat (Oligoryzomys longicaudatus) excreta found in three below-deck storage areas. Samples RT-PCR positive for Andes virus. Vessel decontamination estimated complete by May 20.
UK Health Security Agency confirms no new confirmed cases among British MV Hondius passengers. Twelve individuals with higher-risk exposure are placed on an extended 45-day monitoring programme following CDC's revised guidance.
ECDC's daily surveillance update confirms 11 confirmed MV Hondius cases in 9 countries after Germany's latest case. EU/EEA risk level remains 'moderate'. ECDC urges all member states to report any fever-and-myalgia cases in returned Hondius passengers.
Australian health authorities confirm all six MV Hondius passengers who underwent active monitoring have completed 21 days of surveillance with no confirmed cases. Monitoring extended to 45 days as a precaution for the two highest-risk contacts.
US CDC revises its public-facing Hondius FAQ to reflect the 11th confirmed case and provides updated serology testing criteria: testing recommended for any symptomatic contact within 45 days of Hondius disembarkation, regardless of nationality.
Rapid communication in NEJM by investigators from Netherlands, France and Germany: detailed clinical characteristics of 7 early Hondius cases. Median incubation 22 days (range 8–38); all cases feature prominent myalgia before respiratory symptoms; 2 required ECMO.
Chile reports 11 confirmed hantavirus cases (Andes virus) for the 2026 season, with 3 fatalities. The Aysén and Los Lagos regions near the Argentine Patagonia border are classified as high-risk zones. Travel advisories updated.
WHO releases full genomic analysis of MV Hondius Andes virus samples. Sequences are highly similar but investigators cannot rule out a single environmental source. P2P transmission remains 'possible but unproven'. Monitoring continues.
Germany's Robert Koch Institute reports three additional MV Hondius passengers are now under active medical observation after developing early flu-like symptoms consistent with possible hantavirus exposure. No new confirmed cases as of 12 May.
US CDC updates guidance for MV Hondius returnees, extending the active monitoring window from 21 to 45 days following the longest documented Andes virus incubation periods on record. 47 American passengers remain under surveillance.
ECDC releases its comprehensive 28-page rapid risk assessment covering the MV Hondius cluster. Assesses probability of further EU/EEA cases as 'moderate', recommends 45-day follow-up for all contacts and enhanced surveillance at ports of entry.
WHO Director-General calls for a new international framework governing biosafety protocols aboard expedition cruise vessels, citing the MV Hondius outbreak as a 'critical gap' in maritime public health preparedness.
Researchers from Amsterdam UMC and RIVM publish rapid correspondence in The Lancet Infectious Diseases documenting unusually long incubation periods (up to 38 days) in three MV Hondius Andes virus cases, raising questions about standard 21-day monitoring windows.
ECDC raises its MV Hondius risk assessment for EU/EEA from 'low-moderate' to 'moderate', citing the 8th confirmed case and preliminary WHO findings on potential person-to-person transmission.
Spanish health authorities confirm full decontamination of MV Hondius is now under way. The vessel will remain impounded in Santa Cruz de Tenerife for at least 14 days pending biosafety clearance.
MV Hondius operator Oceanwide Expeditions publicly apologises and pledges full refunds plus medical cost coverage for all passengers affected by the hantavirus outbreak.
UK Health Security Agency extends monitoring period for Hondius contacts to 45 days and updates clinical guidance to reflect WHO's preliminary person-to-person transmission findings.
Spain's health ministry is drafting emergency regulations requiring pre-departure rodent risk assessments and onboard PPE stocks for all vessels operating Antarctic itineraries from Spanish ports.
WHO publishes first-ever interim clinical guidance for identifying, isolating and managing suspected hantavirus cases aboard cruise ships and other vessels, directly informed by the MV Hondius cluster.
New Zealand's Ministry of Health confirms all 11 New Zealand nationals who travelled on MV Hondius have completed 21-day monitoring with no positive tests. Surveillance is formally closed.
Scottish health officials confirm all British nationals repatriated from MV Hondius have completed monitoring; no additional cases detected. NHS England continues surveillance on remaining contacts.
All passengers and non-essential crew have left MV Hondius at Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The vessel is now under a mandatory decontamination protocol supervised by Spanish public health authorities.
Explainer: Andes virus is the only hantavirus strain with documented person-to-person transmission. Scientists outline why the MV Hondius cluster could reveal new insights into transmission dynamics.
The State Department charter flight carrying American Hondius passengers landed in the US. CDC officers conducted health screenings upon arrival; passengers face a 21-day monitoring period at home.
Public Health Agency of Canada says 14 Canadian nationals who were aboard MV Hondius are being monitored for hantavirus symptoms. All are currently asymptomatic and in voluntary self-isolation.
The MV Hondius outbreak has prompted biosafety experts to call for mandatory rodent-exclusion audits and hantavirus screening protocols for all vessels operating in Patagonian and Antarctic waters.
Germany's Robert Koch Institute has upgraded its hantavirus monitoring level and confirmed contact tracing for 8 German nationals who were passengers aboard MV Hondius during the outbreak period.
Opinion: The outbreak is not a pandemic threat, but it exposes structural gaps in cruise industry disease protocols and the unique risks of expedition voyages to remote regions.
Utah Department of Health and Human Services confirms a state resident was aboard MV Hondius during the Andes virus outbreak. The individual is being monitored as part of the CDC-coordinated national response.
Epidemiologists explain why mass contact tracing for hantavirus is less urgent than it was for COVID-19: the virus is not easily spread person-to-person (except rarely for Andes virus), and primary exposure was likely via rodent contact during shore excursions.
PAHO pre-season alert: La Niña weather patterns are expected to increase rodent populations in Patagonia and central Argentina, raising HPS risk throughout 2026.
Germany's Robert Koch Institute reports above-average Puumala virus activity in southern Germany. Bank vole population densities linked to elevated HFRS case counts.
Korea CDC reports 280 HFRS cases in the autumn period, consistent with the seasonal peak driven by striped field mouse activity during the rice harvest season.
Chinese Center for Disease Control reports 3,200 cases of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in the first six months of 2025, mostly from Hantaan and Seoul viruses.
CDC annual HPS surveillance: 28 cases confirmed in the US in 2025, 7 fatal. Deer mouse remains the primary reservoir; Southwest states account for most cases.
Andes virus (ANDV) is the only hantavirus known to transmit between humans. This explainer covers its reservoir, geographic range, case fatality rate, and why it poses a unique outbreak risk.
Updated WHO fact sheet covering hantavirus transmission routes, early and late symptom stages, HPS vs HFRS, treatment options, and global prevention recommendations.
CDC guidance on safely cleaning spaces with rodent droppings: wet disinfection method, N95 respirator use, and proper ventilation before entering closed spaces.
CDC issues Watch-level travel notice for trekkers heading to Patagonian regions of Argentina and Chile ahead of the 2026 HPS season. Recommends avoiding sleeping on ground, using rodent-proof shelters.
ECDC annual report: 7,400 hantavirus cases reported in 28 European countries in 2025. Finland, Sweden, Germany and Russia account for the majority. Puumala virus dominant.
Paraguay reported 47 hantavirus cases and 8 deaths in 2025 — a slight increase from 2024 — concentrated in the eastern Departments near Brazil border forests.
Brazilian health ministry reports 16 confirmed HPS cases in Mato Grosso do Sul in 2025, with a 25% case fatality rate. Cerrado frontier rodent habitats implicated.
Sweden's Public Health Agency confirms 1,850 Puumala virus HFRS cases in 2025. The Norrland region accounts for 60% of cases. Autumn bank vole population peak identified as cause.
Russian health authorities report an above-average HFRS season in the Far East, driven by elevated Apodemus agrarius populations. Several hundred cases recorded in summer-autumn period.
Updated CDC guidance clarifies that hantavirus in rodent excreta can remain infectious for several days to weeks depending on temperature and humidity. UV light rapidly inactivates the virus outdoors.
CDC recommends at minimum N95 respirators for any activity that disturbs rodent nests or droppings. Surgical masks provide inadequate protection against aerosolised hantavirus particles.
A retrospective review of the 2012 Yosemite HPS outbreak that infected 10 and killed 3. Key lessons: rodent-proof infrastructure, annual risk assessments, and staff training requirements.
This hantavirus news feed monitors WHO Disease Outbreak News, ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Reports, CDC hantavirus surveillance pages, and ProMED-mail for every new hantavirus outbreak report worldwide. Stories are selected based on confirmed cases, novel hantavirus outbreak locations, or significant changes to hantavirus symptoms guidance.
To visualise where each hantavirus outbreak is occurring geographically, visit our hantavirus map. For a guide on recognising hantavirus symptoms in the field, see the hantavirus symptoms page.