WHO Confirms Eight Andes Hantavirus Cases Linked to Hondius Cruise Ship
The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed eight laboratory-verified cases of the Andes hantavirus associated with an outbreak on the cruise ship Hondius. As of May 13, 2026, a total of 11 cases have been reported, including three deaths, resulting in a case fatality rate of 27%. Two additional cases are classified as probable, and one inconclusive case in the United States is undergoing further analysis. The WHO states that investigations are underway in collaboration with Argentine and Chilean authorities to identify the source of the epidemic. While the first symptomatic passenger stayed in Ushuaia, local authorities deem infection there unlikely due to the absence of the primary rodent vector. The WHO assesses the health risk as moderate for passengers and crew but low for the global population. Researchers from the Malbran Institute are scheduled to examine local rodent populations in Tierra del Fuego. The Andes virus, endemic to South America, is notable for its potential human-to-human transmission.
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