The World Health Organization is monitoring a hantavirus cluster linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship, after the number of reported cases rose from an initial seven to 11, including three deaths.
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The latest WHO update said that, as of 13 May 2026, eight cases had been laboratory-confirmed as Andes virus infection, two were probable cases and one remained inconclusive pending further testing. All reported cases were passengers on the ship. WHO said the risk to the global population remains low, although the risk for passengers and crew on board the ship is considered higher because of possible exposure.
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The cluster was first reported to WHO on 2 May 2026, after passengers developed severe respiratory illness aboard the Dutch-flagged cruise ship. At the first update, the ship was carrying 147 passengers and crew, and WHO reported seven cases, including two confirmed hantavirus infections, three deaths and one person in intensive care. Further testing later confirmed additional cases.
Health authorities in several countries are now involved in testing, contact tracing, isolation and patient care. WHO said National International Health Regulations focal points have been informed and are supporting international contact tracing for passengers and crew who may have been exposed.
Hantaviruses are a known group of viruses usually carried by rodents. People are most often infected after contact with urine, droppings or saliva from infected rodents, especially in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces. The virus is not normally spread through casual everyday contact. However, the Andes virus is unusual because limited human-to-human transmission can occur, usually after close and prolonged contact.
Symptoms can include fever, muscle pain, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, cough, shortness of breath and pneumonia-like illness. In severe cases, infection can lead to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a dangerous condition that affects the lungs and can require intensive care. WHO says symptoms may appear days or weeks after exposure, which is why monitoring contacts is important.
WHO said current evidence suggests the first case may have been infected before boarding the cruise, possibly through land-based exposure. Investigations are continuing with authorities in Argentina and Chile to understand the source of the outbreak and how transmission occurred on board.
The outbreak has also triggered misinformation online. Some posts have falsely claimed that hantavirus spreads easily like COVID-19. Health officials say that is misleading. While Andes virus can spread between people in rare circumstances, it is not known to spread easily through ordinary public contact. The main risk remains close exposure to infected rodents or close, prolonged contact with an infected person.
Other false claims suggest that ivermectin or antibiotics can cure hantavirus. WHO says there is currently no specific approved antiviral treatment for hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. Antibiotics do not treat viral infections unless doctors also suspect a bacterial infection. Treatment focuses on early supportive medical care, oxygen support, careful monitoring and intensive care when needed.
Despite the seriousness of the cluster, WHO has not recommended broad travel or trade restrictions. The agency says the risk to the wider public is low, and the priority is targeted public health action, including testing, tracing, isolation of suspected cases and support for those who may have been exposed.
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People can reduce risk by avoiding contact with rodents and rodent waste, ventilating enclosed spaces before cleaning, wearing protection when handling contaminated areas, washing hands regularly and seeking medical care early if symptoms develop after possible exposure.
The message from health officials is calm but clear: the cluster linked to the MV Hondius is serious for those directly affected, but there is no evidence of a wider public outbreak. The priority now is early detection, proper medical care, contact tracing and stopping misinformation from spreading faster than the virus.
