#UK Health Security Agency: #update on the #hantavirus cruise #ship #outbreak (May 6 '26)

 

Published: 6 May 2026

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) continues to work with the World Health Organization (WHO), Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), and other international partners to prepare for the arrival of British nationals to the UK from the MV Hondius cruise ship where an outbreak of Hantavirus was confirmed.

Three people, including one British national, with suspected hantavirus have been evacuated from the Hondius in order to receive medical care in the Netherlands in co-ordination between the Cape Verde, UK and Dutch governments. UKHSA are in close contact with medical teams providing their care.   

The remaining British nationals can now be repatriated once the ship docks at its next destination if they do not develop symptoms. 

None of the British citizens onboard are currently reporting symptoms but they are being closely monitored. 

The FCDO is making arrangements for these individuals to return to the UK, where UKHSA is working with government to support them to isolate with regular testing and contact with healthcare professionals.

UKHSA is aware of two people who have returned to the UK independently having been on board the MV Hondius. Neither of these individuals is currently reporting symptoms. They are receiving advice and support from UKHSA and have been advised to self-isolate. 

UKHSA are supporting a small number of individuals identified as close contacts of those on the boat. 

They are being offered support and are also self-isolating. None are reporting any symptoms. 

The risk to the general public remains very low.

Dr Meera Chand, Deputy Director for Epidemic and Emerging Infections at UKHSA said:

''Our thoughts are with all those affected by the hantavirus outbreak onboard the MV Hondius.

''It’s important to reassure people that the risk to the general public remains very low. We are standing up arrangements to support, isolate and monitor British nationals from the ship on their return to the UK and we are contact tracing anyone who may have been in contact with the ship or the hantavirus cases to limit the risk of onward transmission.

''UKHSA will continue to work closely with government partners to offer all necessary support.

UKHSA is working closely with the FCDO, the Home Office, and Border Force to trace further individuals who may have been on the same flight as a confirmed case, in order to carry out public health risk assessments and ensure appropriate precautionary measures are in place.

Hantavirus is the name given to a group of viruses carried by rodents and transmitted by their droppings and urine. They can cause a range of diseases from mild, flu-like illness to severe respiratory illness. Infections in humans are rare and tend to occur in places where people and rodents coexist - most commonly in rural, agricultural settings, though the viruses can also sometimes be found in cleaning sheds, barns and holiday homes where rodents might have nested.

Most hantaviruses do not spread easily between humans, although person-to-person transmission has been observed in some cases involving particular strains. The World Health Organization is leading the international response to this incident and overseeing direction of the ship, including advising on how to minimise the risk of the disease spreading.

The FCDO is in direct contact with the ship and has stood up consular teams across multiple countries to support British nationals. UK government is working extremely closely with international partners in response to this incident, including the cruise ship operator and the governments of overseas territories which were visited by the ship.

Further information on Hantavirus can be found in the recent blog from UKHSA.

Source: 

Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ukhsa-update-on-the-hantavirus-cruise-ship-outbreak

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Epidemiological study of #hantavirus in Southern #Brazil, 2009-2019

 

ABSTRACT

Brazil has the highest number of hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome cases on the American continent, with Santa Catarina being the state with the most notifications. This retrospective longitudinal study aimed to describe the epidemiological profile of 177 hantavirus cases reported in Santa Catarina from 2009 to 2019, using data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN). Statistical analyses of socio-demographic, clinical, and epidemiological data revealed that the typical patient was a male of working age with low educational attainment, living in a rural area. The highest incidence occurred in the Santa Catarina West, Midwest, and Mountain regions, strongly associated with agricultural activities. The case fatality rate (CFR) was highest among the 15-19-year age group. Clinical risk factors for death included respiratory signs, increased hematocrit, and the need for mechanical ventilation. Patients who sought early care had a higher CFR, possibly due to the initial difficulty of differentiating hantavirus from other viral diseases. Conversely, regions with higher notification rates showed lower CFRs, suggesting better surveillance. This study highlights critical areas for public health intervention and the key characteristics of hantavirus patients (males in rural areas and adolescents aged 15-19 years in regions with low notification rates) and areas for public health intervention. Training for medical professionals in regions with low notification rates should aim to reduce lethality, especially in regions with low reported cases (Itajai river delta and South), where underreporting may be occurring. Furthermore, the high lethality in adolescents and in patients with non-specific initial symptoms requires greater awareness. This study shows the utility of a governmental database in identifying epidemiological patterns and creating public health strategies tailored to regional specificities.

Source: 

Link: https://www.scielo.br/j/rimtsp/a/VB7LM8DjmVJ9yJBwYzSjzMh/?lang=en

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Loss of nsp14-exonuclease activity impairs the #replication, proofreading, fitness, and #pathogenesis of #SARS-CoV-2

 

ABSTRACT

Coronaviruses (CoVs) replicate their RNA genomes with a higher degree of fidelity than other RNA viruses, a mechanism mediated by the proofreading and recombination activities of the exoribonuclease domain of replicase nonstructural protein 14 (nsp14-ExoN). Both murine hepatitis virus (MHV) and SARS-CoV tolerate nsp14-ExoN loss-of-function mutations (ExoN−) (D90A and E92A), but have impaired replication fidelity and pathogenesis; yet identical substitutions in MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 have been reported to be lethal. Here, we report a saturation mutagenesis approach facilitating the recovery and analysis of several constellations of SARS-CoV-2 nsp14 ExoN-inactivating, loss-of-function substitutions, including the canonical D90A and E92A. Biochemical assays with purified WT or ExoN-nsp10-14 fusion proteins confirmed that active site substitutions abolished ExoN activity (ExoN−). SARS-CoV-2 ExoN− viruses exhibited impaired replication, RNA synthesis, and recombination, as well as decreased replication fidelity and loss of fitness in vitro. ExoN− viruses were significantly attenuated for replication in human primary airway epithelial cells and were attenuated for replication and pathogenesis in WT mice, as well as the highly susceptible K18 transgenic mice. In the absence of interferon signaling in vivo, SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 ExoN− viral replication could be partially restored. These results demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 ExoN− viruses are viable but highly impaired for replication, fitness, and fidelity in vitro, as well as innate immune antagonism and pathogenesis in vivo. Collectively, our results solidify the multiple critical roles of nsp14-ExoN across CoV genera and establish new approaches for rescuing and analyzing loss-of-function substitutions in studies of CoV replication, pathogenesis, and evolution.

Source: 

Link: https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/mbio.00073-26

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#Switzerland, #Patient with a #hantavirus #infection being treated in hospital (Min. of Health, May 6 '26)

 

Bern, 06.05.2026 — One person with a hantavirus infection is currently being treated at the University Hospital Zurich (USZ). 

The patient is male and returned to Switzerland after travelling on the cruise ship on which there were a number of hantavirus cases. 

The USZ is prepared to deal with such cases, is able to care for the patient, and guarantee the safety of staff and all patients. 

There is currently no danger to the Swiss public.

One person has tested positive for hantavirus in Switzerland. The man had returned from a trip to South America with his wife at the end of April. 

Having noticed symptoms, he telephoned his GP and went to the University Hospital Zurich (USZ) for further assessment. 

There, he was immediately placed in isolation. A test that was carried out at the reference laboratory at the Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) revealed a positive result for hantavirus. 

It concerns the Andes virus, a hantavirus that occurs in South America. 

Unlike the European hantaviruses, which are transmitted through excretions of infected rodents, for the American hantavirus variant, person-to-person transmission has also been documented in rare cases. 

However, transmission only occurs through close contact. 

The FOPH therefore considers the occurrence of further cases in Switzerland unlikely. 

The risk to the public in Switzerland is low.

The patient’s wife accompanied him on the trip. She has not yet shown any symptoms but is self-isolating as a precaution. 

The cantonal authorities are currently investigating whether the patient came into contact with other people during the infectious period. 

Appropriate safety measures are in place at the USZ for the patient's treatment. The USZ is the reference hospital for such diseases.

The FOPH is in close contact with other bodies, such as the Zurich cantonal authorities, Zurich and Geneva university hospitals and the WHO, is coordinating with them on an ongoing basis, and is monitoring developments closely.

Hantavirus fever is rare in Switzerland. In recent years there have been between 0 and 6 reported cases a year. Of these few cases, the vast majority are attributable to infections acquired abroad.

Source: 

Link: https://www.bag.admin.ch/en/newnsb/p--A7yPSfxdBqR0N9kZMC

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#Hantavirus #outbreak {in cruise ship}: Another #passenger contracts disease {total so far 8, of these 3 confirmed} (UN News Centre, May 6 '26)

 

It’s been confirmed that another passenger from the cruise liner linked to the outbreak of hantavirus has contracted the disease, which has claimed the lives of three people on board and sparked an international alert coordinated by the UN World Health Organization (WHO).

The individual, who is male, had been travelling on the Dutch-flagged vessel, the Hondius, at the centre of the outbreak. 

He is being treated in a Zurich hospital after returning to Switzerland and responding to an email from the ship’s operator.

“In line with the International Health Regulations (IHR), WHO is working with relevant countries to support international contact tracing, to ensure that those potentially exposed are monitored and that any further disease spread is limited,” the agency said in a post on X.

As of Wednesday, three of the ship’s 147 passengers have died since it sailed across the Atlantic Ocean from Argentina, to its current berth off the coast of Cabo Verde, according to the WHO. 

On X, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reported that three passengers “have just been evacuated” from the ship and were en route to the Netherlands for treatment.

“At this stage, the overall public health risk remains low,” Tedros stressed.

Expedition ship

Publicly available data indicates that the vessel was built in Croatia and launched in June 2018. The Hondius is around 108 metres long and is listed under ship identification number 9818709 with the UN International Maritime Organization (IMO). 

The vessel has capacity for 196 passengers and 72 crew; it is named after the 17th century map publisher and engraver Jodocus Hondius. 

The expedition ship’s maiden voyage in 2019 took it from Vlissingen in the Netherlands to the volcanic island of Jan Mayen and Spitzbergen in the Arctic Circle.

The UN agency said that the victims may have been infected with the disease prior to boarding. It has reported eight cases of infection so far, including three confirmed as Andes hantavirus by laboratory testing.

On Tuesday, the WHO said that one individual was in intensive care in South Africa, although their condition was “improving”. 

Work to identify the virus has involved the National Institute for Communicable Diseases in South Africa and Geneva University Hospitals (HUG). The Pasteur Institute in Dakar and Argentina’s National Administration of Health Laboratories and Institutes also provided further “critical” support, WHO noted.

Patient care is ‘highest priority’

“WHO will continue to work with countries to ensure that the patients, contacts, passengers and crew have the information and support they need to stay safe and prevent spread,” the agency said.

At a press conference on Tuesday, WHO said that the “highest priority” was to evacuate the two ill passengers still on board “to make sure that they have the care that they receive”.

Once the ship reaches the Canary Islands, the agency’s Dr Maria Van Kerkhove explained that the Spanish authorities would carry out a full epidemiological investigation and full disinfection of the ship, before assessing the risk passengers remaining on board.

“We have heard from quite a few people, you know, on the boat. We just want you to know we are working with the ship's operators. We are working with the countries where you are from. We hear you. We know that you are scared.” said Dr. Van Kerkhove, WHO Director (a.i) Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention, speaking to journalists in Geneva on Tuesday.

As a precaution, passengers have been asked to remain in their cabins while disinfection and other public health measures are carried out. 

Source: 

Link: https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/05/1167449

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#Spain, Ministry of Health is coordinating with #WHO and international authorities response to #hantavirus #outbreak on MV #Hondius ship

 

• From the outset, Spain activated international health coordination mechanisms together with the WHO, the ECDC, the European Commission, the Netherlands, South Africa, Cape Verde and the Government of the Canary Islands.
• The three symptomatic cases have been evacuated from the ship. The vessel, which will dock in the port of Granadilla de Abona (Tenerife), is carrying only passengers and crew without symptoms.
• Spanish citizens with habitual residence in Spain will be transferred to the Gómez Ulla Central Defense Hospital in Madrid, where they will undergo quarantine under health supervision.
• The Ministry of Health emphasizes that the risk to the general population is very low and reiterates that interpersonal transmission of Andean hantavirus is extremely rare.
• Spain is acting in compliance with the International Health Regulations and its humanitarian and health protection obligations, especially given the presence of Spanish citizens on board.

Madrid, May 6, 2026 - The Minister of Health appeared at a press conference to report on the situation arising from the hantavirus outbreak detected on the MV Hondius ship, a Dutch vessel from Argentina with an initial destination of Cape Verde after passing through South Africa, in which approximately 150 people of 23 different nationalities are traveling, including 14 Spanish citizens.

The minister explained that the Ministry of Health became aware of the situation last week through international health alert and coordination channels, immediately activating joint monitoring with the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the European Commission, the countries involved and the Government of the Canary Islands.

Since the beginning of the crisis, there has been constant coordination between all the administrations and institutions involved. The minister noted that she has been in continuous contact with the president of the Canary Islands government, Fernando Clavijo, while the Secretary of State for Health, the Directorate General of Public Health, Foreign Health, and the technical teams have worked in coordination with their regional and international counterparts to share information, assess risks, and prepare the health response.

Current epidemiological situation

According to updated information, the outbreak currently has eight linked cases, of which three have been confirmed by laboratory testing.

- Three deaths (one confirmed by laboratory test).

- A patient admitted to a hospital in Switzerland with a positive test (he disembarked from the ship in Saint Helena)

- Another patient in ICU in South Africa (the third with a diagnosis)

- Three symptomatic patients have already been evacuated by plane from Cape Verde to Amsterdam (one of them is the doctor)

Formal request for collaboration from the WHO

During the appearance, the minister explained that yesterday afternoon a meeting took place between the technical teams of the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization, in which it was agreed to send a team of international epidemiologists to review the health situation of the ship in Cape Verde.

Subsequently, the WHO stated that Cape Verde does not currently have the necessary capabilities to independently carry out all the epidemiological, environmental and public health assessments required to manage a health incident of this nature.

In light of this situation, the WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, formally requested the collaboration of the Spanish State to facilitate the arrival of the MV Hondius and to carry out the necessary health actions under international coordination.

The minister stressed that Spain's actions respond both to humanitarian principles and to international legal obligations derived from the WHO's International Health Regulations, of which Spain is a State Party.

In this regard, he recalled that Articles 13 and 44 of the Regulation establish the duty of technical and logistical cooperation between countries in the face of international health emergencies, while Articles 27 and 28 expressly regulate the management of infection situations on board international means of transport.

He also pointed out that these treaties are part of the Spanish legal system and are fully binding on public administrations.

Development of the health operation

Mónica García explained that the designed operation clearly distinguishes between symptomatic cases and passengers considered close contacts without symptoms.

Active or symptomatic cases will not travel to the Canary Islands. They will be evacuated directly from Cape Verde via medical aircraft to high-isolation hospital units to receive specialized care.

Meanwhile, those continuing their journey to the Canary Islands are close contacts or passengers without symptoms, whose arrival is expected within an estimated period of between 72 and 96 hours.

The disembarkation will be carried out through controlled health circuits, with direct transfer from the port to the airport and subsequent return to their countries of origin, avoiding at all times transit through spaces open to the general population.

Regarding the Spanish citizens on board, the Ministry is currently verifying whether they maintain their habitual residence in Spain. In those cases where this is the case, their evacuation will be carried out through an operation coordinated by the Ministry of Defense, and they will be transferred to the Gómez Ulla Central Defense Hospital in Madrid, where they will undergo the corresponding quarantine under medical supervision.

In case of the appearance of symptoms, the National Health System will activate the state UATAN network to guarantee immediate and safe care.

The minister wanted to convey a message of reassurance to the public, insisting that the risk to the general population remains very low.

Although hantavirus can have a high mortality rate in certain severe clinical forms, especially respiratory ones, the Ministry has explained that the specific context of the outbreak —a ship with close and prolonged cohabitation— much favors the possible interpersonal transmission.

International health authorities have also identified the variant involved as Andean hantavirus, one of the few variants in which human-to-human transmission has been documented. However, both the WHO and the ECDC agree that this type of transmission remains extremely rare and requires very close and prolonged contact, generally with symptomatic individuals.

Source: 

Link: https://www.sanidad.gob.es/gabinete/notasPrensa.do?id=6901

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Computational #design of an ultrapotent #deltacoronavirus miniprotein #inhibitor

 

Significance

Multiple porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) spillovers occurred in Haiti and there are currently no vaccines or therapeutics approved for use in humans. We computationally designed PDCoV miniprotein inhibitors and identified one (MB11) that potently and broadly neutralizes distantly related delta-coronaviruses. MB11 is resistant to multiple biochemical stresses, an ideal property for easy storage and delivery. These data pave the way for developing therapeutics to prepare for possible future PDCoV outbreaks.

Abstract

Multiple spillovers of porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) into humans in Haiti highlight its zoonotic potential and the need for targeted interventions. No approved vaccines or therapeutics are available for use in humans against any DCoVs. Here, we report the de novo design of PDCoV miniprotein inhibitors (aka minibinders, MBs) and show that one of them, MB11, binds with picomolar affinity to the PDCoV receptor-binding domain (RBD). MB11 potently inhibits PDCoV, outcompeting monoclonal antibodies, and cross-reacts with and broadly neutralizes a panel of distantly related DCoVs. We determined a cryoelectron microscopy structure of MB11 bound to the PDCoV RBD which reveals the molecular basis of broad DCoV neutralization through interference with host receptor engagement. Deep mutational scanning of the PDCoV RBD reveals that MB11 has a high barrier to viral escape with only few mutations mediating escape without dampening APN receptor binding. MB11 resists stringent biochemical stresses, including high temperature, low pH, and proteolysis, which may enable delivery to various tissues for viral inhibition. This work delineates a prime candidate for clinical evaluation against PDCoV infection and for pandemic preparedness.

Source: 

Link: https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.2533456123?af=R

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Disentangling the drivers and host-mediated #global #spread of #H7 #influenza A virus

 

Abstract

Avian influenza H7 viruses pose a significant zoonotic and pandemic threat, yet their evolutionary dynamics, spatial transmission patterns, and host-specific roles remain underexplored. This study integrates phylodynamic and phylogeographic analyses to map global H7 dissemination, quantify host-specific contributions, and identify key ecological and anthropogenic drivers. Epidemiological data show key epidemic waves in Asia during 2013-2014 and 2016-2017, and in Africa in 2023. The Eurasian and American lineages of H7 viruses exhibit transmission with a median velocity of ~661 km/year and ~354 km/year, though spread varies significantly by virus subtype. Anseriformes (~587 km/year) and wild birds (~654 km/year) spread the Eurasian lineage of H7 viruses more rapidly and over greater distances than Galliformes and domestic birds. Geographic distance is negatively associated with the spread of the H7 virus, while temperature and poultry density show positive association. In this work, we identify Asia as an important H7 virus evolutionary epicenter. Anseriformes drives transcontinental spread, whereas Galliformes facilitates local amplification. The dynamics of the H7 virus are shaped by ecological and socioeconomic factors. A One Health approach emphasizing targeted surveillance and global cooperation is essential to mitigate cross-species transmission and future pandemic threats.

Source: 

Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-72718-9

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Opposing #cell type preferences for binding and #replication shape #influenza A virus infection in #human #airways

 

Abstract

Influenza A viruses (IAVs) pose a persistent threat to human health through seasonal epidemics and zoonotic spillover from avian reservoirs. As respiratory pathogens, they primarily target the airway epithelium. However, it remains unclear how host cell-specific barriers jointly shape viral tropism and replication in primary human airway cultures. Here, we show that avian IAVs can infect ciliated and secretory cells but preferentially bind to ciliated cells, consistent with higher abundance of their receptor alpha2,3-linked sialic acids, specifically sialyl Lewis X glycans, present on the apical surface of ciliated cells. Replication levels were comparable between secretory and ciliated cells for the avian strains, resulting in an overall preference for ciliated cells. In contrast, human IAVs also preferentially bind to ciliated cells but independently of alpha2,6-linked sialic acid abundance. Human IAVs replicate more efficiently than avian IAVs due to their ability to utilize human ANP32 proteins, but they also exhibit cell type-specific differences due to ANP32, allowing for higher viral RNA levels in secretory cells. Thus, preferential binding to ciliated cells coupled with enhanced replication in secretory cells equalizes overall infection levels across cell types for human IAVs. Together, our findings highlight the spatiotemporal complexity and interplay of IAV infection dynamics in the airway epithelium and redefine current models of influenza A virus tropism.

Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Funder Information Declared

Swiss National Science Foundation, 310030_204166

UZH Candoc, FK-25-039

Source: 

Link: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.05.04.722582v1

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#Spain will welcome the MV #Hondius vessel to the Canary Islands in compliance with International Law and the humanitarian spirit (Min. Health, May 5 '26)

 

The World Health Organization (WHO), in coordination with the European Union, has just requested that the Spanish government accept the MV Hondius in the Canary Islands in accordance with international law and humanitarian principles.

The vessel is currently in Cape Verde, where it has docked after detecting an outbreak of hantavirus infection.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) is conducting a thorough examination of the ship to determine which individuals require urgent evacuation from Cape Verde. 

The remaining passengers will continue on to the Canary Islands, where they are expected to arrive within three to four days. 

The specific port has not yet been determined. Once there, the crew and passengers will be properly examined, treated, and transferred to their respective countries. 

The process will be managed according to a common protocol for case and contact tracing developed by the WHO and the ECDC, and will include all necessary safety measures. 

Both medical care and transfers will be carried out in special spaces and transports specifically set up for this situation, avoiding all contact with the local population and ensuring the safety of healthcare personnel at all times.

The Government will release the details of this protocol as soon as they are defined by the WHO and the ECDC. It will also provide timely updates on its implementation. 

The World Health Organization has explained that Cape Verde cannot carry out this operation. The Canary Islands are the closest location with the necessary capabilities. Spain has a moral and legal obligation to assist these people, among whom are several Spanish citizens. 

Following this same logic, and as part of the operation, the Government has also accepted a formal request from the Government of the Netherlands to receive the doctor from the MV Hondius, who is in serious condition and will be transported to the Canary Islands today on a hospital aircraft.

Source: 

Link: https://www.sanidad.gob.es/gabinete/notasPrensa.do?id=6900

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#Surveillance on #California dairy #farms reveals multiple possible sources of #H5N1 #influenza virus #transmission

 

Abstract

Transmission routes of highly pathogenic H5N1 between cows or to humans remain unclear due to limited data from affected dairy farms. We performed air, farm wastewater, and milk sampling on 14 H5N1-positive dairy farms across two different California regions. Infectious virus was detected in the air in milking parlors and in wastewater streams, while viral RNA was found in exhaled breath of cows. Sequence analysis of infectious H5N1 virus from air and wastewater samples on one farm revealed viral variants relevant for potential human susceptibility. Longitudinal analysis of milk from the individual quarters of cows revealed a high prevalence of subclinical H5N1-positive cows. Additionally, a heterogeneous distribution of infected quarters that maintained a consistent pattern over time was observed, inconsistent with shared milking equipment serving as the sole transmission mode. The presence of subclinically infected cows was further supported by detection of antibodies in the milk of animals that exhibited no clinical signs during the H5N1 outbreak on one farm. Our data highlight additional sources and potential modes of H5N1 transmission on dairy farms.

Source: 

Link: https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.3003761

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#Human spread of #hantavirus not ruled out on cruise #ship (UN News Centre, May 5 '26)

 

By Dominika Tomaszewska-Mortimer in Geneva

5 May 2026 

Hantavirus victims on a ship in the Atlantic Ocean may have been infected prior to joining the cruise and human-to-human transmission on board cannot be ruled out – although it is rare - the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday.

The deadly disease outbreak has triggered an international public health response. 

Seven individuals of the 147 passengers and crew have been reported ill and three have died in what remains a fluid situation, WHO’s chief of Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention Dr Maria Van Kerkhove told reporters in Geneva.

“One patient is in intensive care in South Africa, although we understand that this patient is improving,” she said, while two patients still on board the ship, which is currently off the coast of Cabo Verde, are being prepared for medical evacuation to the Netherlands for treatment. 

Dr Van Kerkhove stressed that the situation is being closely monitored. As a precaution, passengers have been asked to remain in their cabins while disinfection and other public health measures are carried out. Medical teams from Cabo Verde are providing support on board the ship.

“The plan is, and our highest priority is, to medically evacuate these two individuals” to make sure that they receive the required care, she insisted. 

There are no other symptomatic patients on board. A third suspected case who reported a mild fever at one point “is currently doing well”, the WHO official said.

Spain cooperation

The ship is set to continue on to the Canary Islands. Ahead of arrival, Dr Van Kerkhove said that WHO is working with the Spanish authorities who “have said that they will welcome the ship to do a full epidemiologic investigation, full disinfection of the ship, and of course to assess the risk of the passengers”. 

Hantaviruses are carried by rodents and can cause severe disease in humans. Thousands of infections are estimated to occur each year. People usually get infected through contact with infected rodents or their urine, their droppings, or their saliva. 

Discussing the suspected origins of the outbreak, Dr Van Kerkhove said that the initial patients, a husband and wife, boarded the boat in Argentina. 

“With the timing of the incubation period of hantavirus, which can be anywhere from one to six weeks, our assumption is that they were infected off the ship,” she said. “This was an expedition boat… many of the people on board were doing bird watching” and “seeing a lot of different wildlife.”

The cruise stopped at several islands off the coast of Africa, Dr Van Kerkhove continued, some of which “have a lot of rodents”. 

“There could be some source of infection on the islands as well for some of the other suspect cases,” she said. “However, we do believe that there may be some human-to-human transmission that's happening among the really close contacts” such as the husband and wife and others who have shared cabins.

Past outbreak lessons

Transmission of infection between people is uncommon, but limited spread has been reported among close contacts in previous outbreaks of the Andes virus, which is part of the hantavirus group.

There are no specific treatments for hantavirus other than supportive care. 

“Typically, people will develop respiratory symptoms, so respiratory support is really important,” Dr Van Kerkhove said, stressing that some people require mechanical ventilation. Intensive care may be required, especially if the condition of patients deteriorates.

Directing her message at the people on the boat, where more than 20 nationalities are represented, the WHO official said: “We just want you to know we are working with the ship's operators” and with the travellers’ countries of origin.

“We hear you. We know that you are scared,” she said. “We're trying to make sure that the ship has as much information as they can…that you're cared for and of course, that you get home safely.”

Link: https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/05/1167440

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Avian #Influenza #Report - April 26 – May 2 '26 (Wk 18) (HK CHP, May 5, 2026): 1 new #human #H5N1 case in #Bangladesh; 1 new #H9N2 case in #China

 

{Excerpt}

(...)

{H5N1}

-- Date of report: Late April 2026 

-- Country: Bangladesh 

-- Province / Region: Chattogram Division 

-- District / City: ...

-- Sex: ...

-- Age: Child 

-- Condition at time of reporting: Deceased 

-- Subtype of virus: H5N1

(...)

{H9N2}

1) Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region

-- A one-year-old boy with onset on April 12, 2026. 

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/2026_avian_influenza_report_vol22_wk18.pdf

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Respiratory #infections due to #human common cold #coronaviruses, #SARS-CoV, #MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2: #epidemiology, #pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccine landscapes

 

Summary

Over the past half-century, perceptions of human coronaviruses have evolved from their initial characterisation as causes of the common cold to recognition of their capacity to trigger severe disease and global epidemics. The emergence of three zoonotic coronaviruses—severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) in 2002, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in 2012, and SARS-CoV-2 in 2019, has had profound health, economic, and societal consequences and continues to influence global epidemic-preparedness strategies. All three viruses remain on the WHO Blueprint of priority pathogens for research and development. This Review summarises current knowledge on human coronaviruses, drawing lessons from the past 25 years of epidemic outbreaks. The shared and divergent features of SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2, including their origins, evolution, transmission determinants, zoonotic transmission, viral entry pathways, pathogenesis, spectrum of clinical manifestations, long-term sequelae, and case-fatality profiles are highlighted. The full range of clinical manifestations, from asymptomatic or atypical presentations to severe acute respiratory and multisystem disease, are outlined together with risk factors for progression and populations with the greatest susceptibility. Diagnostic approaches, including molecular assays, antigen-based tests, and imaging modalities are described alongside current therapeutics, antiviral strategies, immunomodulators, supportive care principles, and evidence from clinical trials. Advances in diagnostics, vaccines, therapeutics, and infection-control practices are examined together with persistent challenges in early recognition, particularly in resource-limited settings. Strengthening multinational clinical trial capacity, leveraging digital innovations, and embedding One Health approaches are essential to mitigating spillover risks and improving global readiness. We review the latest data, identify gaps and opportunities, and outline forward-looking strategies to anticipate and prepare for the threat of future coronaviruses, and other existing or new respiratory pathogens with epidemic potential. Clinicians and other health-care workers play a central role in detecting and reporting possible lethal coronavirus infection including atypical presentations, enabling rapid, coordinated infection control and management responses.

Source: 

Link: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(26)00049-4/abstract?rss=yes

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#Update: First locally acquired #human case of #H7N7 #influenza A was detected in #Taiwan (CDC, May 5 '26)

 

-- The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced today (April 5) that regarding the first locally transmitted case of H7N7 novel influenza A reported on April 2 involving a poultry farmer, the CDC has completed gene sequence comparison and analysis. 

-- Furthermore, after joint assessment of the overall impact by agricultural and health authorities, the public health risk rating for Taiwan is "low risk."

-- The CDC pointed out that the patient was discharged from isolation on April 3, and the 33 identified contacts completed health monitoring on April 6, with no confirmed cases of novel influenza A. 

-- There is no risk of the outbreak expanding. 

-- This case was discovered due to the high level of vigilance of the hospital physician, who reported the case based on clinical symptoms, contact history, and preliminary test results, leading to confirmation of novel influenza A. 

-- Therefore, the CDC will award the reporting physician a NT$10,000 reporting bonus in accordance with Article 5, Paragraph 1, Item 1 of the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Reward Regulations.

-- The CDC explained that this case was investigated and controlled through cooperation between health and agricultural authorities, based on the national integrated epidemic prevention action. 

-- Gene sequence comparison of the virus showed that it was most similar to the virus strain isolated from wild birds in Japan and South Korea in 2024, and all gene fragments originated from the Eurasian low pathogenic avian influenza virus gene pool, indicating that the virus is highly related to the virus circulating in wild bird populations. 

-- Further analysis showed that the virus's PB2 gene carries the E627K mutation (PB2 E627K). 

-- According to existing research, this mutation may enhance the virus's replication ability in mammalian cells. 

-- However, since it cannot be ruled out that this site is a mutation produced in humans after infection, and no virus with the same characteristics has been found in Taiwan recently, nor have any drug resistance-related mutations been detected, the current assessment is that the risk to the public is low. 

-- In addition, agricultural authorities actively completed sampling at other poultry farms of the case before the Qingming Festival holiday, expanded sampling at five poultry farms near the case, and cooperated with the Wild Bird Association to collect 92 wild bird specimens from the surrounding area, all of which did not detect avian influenza-related viruses.

-- The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stated that, based on the spirit of national epidemic prevention unity, the CDC also launched a joint risk assessment team with agricultural and health authorities on April 1st to conduct a domestic risk assessment of the H7 subtype viruses (including H7N7, H7N2, H7N3, and H7N4). 

-- This risk assessment primarily referenced the framework of the US CDC's Influenza Risk Assessment Tool (IRAT). 

-- Team members collected supporting data and scores for ten risk factors and corresponding assessment questions, followed by a comprehensive evaluation. 

-- The results showed that the overall risk of the four H7 subtype viruses was low. 

-- While the possibility of sporadic local cases in the future cannot be ruled out, direct and indirect contact with animals remains the main transmission route. 

-- No evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission has been found, and the possibility of further community spread is extremely low.

-- In response to the detection of the key PB2 E627K variant in the first domestic H7N7 human infection case and concerns about the lack of herd immunity among the Taiwanese public to the H7 subtype of avian influenza, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is not only closely monitoring genomic evolution but also convening expert meetings to focus on assessing the risk of cross-species transmission to ensure the disease prevention system can effectively address potential public health threats. 

-- Furthermore, the CDC is continuously strengthening the One Health inter-ministerial surveillance mechanism, maintaining surveillance in poultry farms and wild animals, closely monitoring genomic evolution, raising clinicians' awareness of the need for testing cases of pneumonia of unknown cause with a history of contact with poultry or livestock, and enhancing related prevention and control measures such as antiviral drugs.

-- In its global risk assessment of the H7 subtype of avian influenza, the World Health Organization (WHO) stated that the global H7 subtype of avian influenza is mainly prevalent in wild and domestic poultry populations. 

-- Although there have been occasional cases of human infection through contact with infected animals in the past, these cases have mostly presented with mild symptoms such as conjunctivitis or influenza-like illness. 

-- The Netherlands reported one death case in 2003. 

-- Given the potential impact on public health, close monitoring of human infections of this virus is crucial. 

-- Based on the current lack of evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission or community spread, the WHO assesses the threat to public health as remaining low. 

-- While sporadic human cases cannot be ruled out, the probability of human-to-human transmission is extremely low.

Source: 

Link: https://www.cdc.gov.tw/Bulletin/Detail/N1P8C-k3KudXQW2VAkp9UQ?typeid=9

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#Hantavirus #cluster linked to cruise #ship #travel, Multi-country (WHO D.O.N., May 5 '26)

 

Situation at a glance

-- On 2 May 2026, a cluster of passengers with severe respiratory illness aboard a cruise ship was reported to the World Health Organization. 

-- The ship is carrying 147 passengers and crew. 

-- As of 4 May 2026, seven cases (two laboratory confirmed cases of hantavirus and five suspected cases) have been identified, including three deaths, one critically ill patient and three individuals reporting mild symptoms. 

-- Illness onset occurred between 6 and 28 April 2026 and was characterized by fever, gastrointestinal symptoms, rapid progression to pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome and shock. 

-- Further investigations are ongoing. 

-- The outbreak is being managed through coordinated international response, and includes: 

- in-depth investigations, 

- case isolation and care, 

- medical evacuation and 

- laboratory investigations. 

-- Human hantavirus infection is primarily acquired through contact with the urine, faeces, or saliva of infected rodents. 

-- It is a rare but severe disease that can be deadly. 

-- Although uncommon, limited human to human transmission has been reported in previous outbreaks of Andes virus (a specific species of hantavirus). 

-- WHO currently assesses the risk to the global population from this event as low and will continue to monitor the epidemiological situation and update the risk assessment.

Description of the situation

-- On 2 May 2026, WHO received notification from the National International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) Focal Point of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (hereafter referred to as the United Kingdom) regarding a cluster of severe acute respiratory illness, including two deaths and one critically ill passenger, aboard a Dutch-flagged cruise ship. 

-- On 2 May 2026, laboratory testing conducted in South Africa confirmed hantavirus infection in one patient who is critically ill and in intensive care. 

-- On 3 May, one additional death was reported. 

-- A further three suspected cases remain on board. 

-- As of 4 May, a total of seven (two confirmed and five suspected) cases, including three deaths, have been reported.

-- The vessel departed Ushuaia, Argentina, on 1 April 2026 and followed an itinerary across the South Atlantic, with multiple stops in remote and ecologically diverse regions, including mainland Antarctica, South Georgia, Nightingale Island, Tristan da Cunha, Saint Helena, and Ascension Island. 

-- The extent of passenger contact with local wildlife during the voyage, or prior to boarding in Ushuaia remains undetermined. 

-- The vessel carries a total of 147 individuals, including 88 passengers and 59 crew members. 

-- Onboard passengers and crew represent 23 nationalities.  

-- As of 4 May 2026, the vessel is moored off the coast of Cabo Verde.

Summary of cases:

-- Case 1: 

- An adult male developed symptoms of fever, headache, and mild diarrhoea on 6 April 2026 while on board the ship. 

- By 11 April, the case developed respiratory distress and died on board on the same day. 

- No microbiological tests were performed. 

- The body of the passenger was removed from the vessel to Saint Helena (a British Overseas Territory) on 24 April.

-- Case 2: 

- An adult female, who was a close contact of case 1, went ashore at Saint Helena on 24 April 2026 with gastrointestinal symptoms. 

- She subsequently deteriorated during a flight to Johannesburg, South Africa, on 25 April. 

- She later died upon arrival at the emergency department on 26 April. 

- On 4 May, the case was subsequently confirmed by PCR with hantavirus infection. 

- Contact tracing for passengers on the flight has been initiated.

- Cases 1 and 2, had travelled in South America, including Argentina, before they boarded the cruise ship on 1 April 2026.

-- Case 3: 

- An adult male presented to the ship's doctor on 24 April 2026 with febrile illness, shortness of breath and signs of pneumonia. 

- On 26 April, his condition worsened. 

- He was medically evacuated from Ascension to South Africa on 27 April, where he is currently hospitalised in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). 

- Laboratory testing on an extensive respiratory pathogen panel was negative; however, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing confirmed hantavirus infection on 2 May 2026. 

- Serology, sequencing and metagenomics are ongoing.

-- Case 4: 

- An adult female, with presentation of pneumonia, died on 2 May 2026. 

- The onset of symptoms was on 28 April, with fever and a general feeling of being unwell.

-- Three suspected cases have reported high fever and/or gastrointestinal symptoms and remain on board. 

- Medical teams in Cabo Verde are evaluating the patients and collecting additional specimens for testing.

Public health response

-- Authorities from States Parties involved in the management of the event to date – Cabo Verde, the Netherlands, Spain, South Africa and the United Kingdom - have initiated coordinated response measures including:

- Ongoing engagement between WHO and the National IHR Focal Points of Cabo Verde, the Netherlands, South Africa, Spain and the United Kingdom, to ensure timely information sharing and coordination of response actions.

- WHO shared information about the events with National IHR Focal Points globally.

- Passengers onboard have been advised to practice maximal physical distancing and remain in their cabins where possible.

- Epidemiological investigations are underway to determine the source of exposure.

- The National IHR Focal Point of Argentina shared the passenger and crew lists with the National IHR Focal Points of the respective countries, according to each person’s nationality.

- In line with the Working Arrangement between the WHO Emergency Medical Team (EMT) Secretariat and the EU Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC), the EMT Secretariat has launched formal discussions to support the clinical management and medical evacuation of symptomatic passengers.

- Logistic support has been provided, including sample collection items.

- Laboratory testing and confirmation of hantavirus infection have been conducted at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) of South Africa. Serology, sequencing and metagenomics are ongoing.

- Additional laboratory samples from symptomatic passengers are being sent, with WHO support, to the Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Senegal, for testing.

- WHO has activated three-level coordination and is supporting national authorities in implementing risk-based, evidence-informed public health measures in accordance with the provisions of the IHR and related WHO technical guidance documents.

WHO risk assessment

-- Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), also known as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), is a zoonotic, viral respiratory disease caused by hantaviruses of the genus Orthohantavirus, family Hantaviridae, order Bunyavirales. 

-- More than 20 viral species have been identified within this genus. 

-- In the Americas, Sin Nombre virus is the predominant cause of HPS in North America, while Orthohantavirus andesense is responsible for most cases in South America.

-- Human Hantavirus infection is primarily acquired through contact with the urine, faeces, or saliva of infected rodents or by touching contaminated surfaces. 

-- Exposure typically occurs during activities such as cleaning buildings with rodent infestations, though it may also occur during routine activities in heavily infested areas. 

-- Human cases are most commonly reported in rural settings, such as forests, fields, and farms, where rodents are present, and opportunities for exposure are greater. 

-- HPS is characterized by headache, dizziness, chills, fever, myalgia, and gastrointestinal problems, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain, followed by sudden onset of respiratory distress and hypotension. 

-- Symptoms of HPS typically occur from 2-4 weeks after initial exposure to the virus. However, symptoms may appear as early as one week and as late as eight weeks following exposure.

-- Hantavirus infections are relatively uncommon globally.  

-- In 2025 (as of epidemiological week 47), in the Region of the Americas, eight countries reported 229 cases and 59 deaths with a CFR of 25.7%. [1] 

-- In the European Region, 1885 hantavirus infection reported in 2023 (0.4 per 100,000), marking the lowest rate observed between 2019 and 2023.[2] 

-- In East Asia, particularly China and the Republic of Korea, Hantavirus haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) continues to account for many thousands of cases annually, although incidence has declined in recent decades.

-- Hantavirus infections are associated with a case fatality rate of <1–15% in Asia and Europe and up to 50% in the Americas. 

-- While there are no specific treatment nor vaccines for hantavirus infections, early supportive care and immediate referral to a facility with a complete ICU can improve survival.

-- Environmental and ecological factors affecting rodent populations can influence disease trends seasonally. Since hantavirus reservoirs are sylvatic rodents, transmission can occur when people come into contact with rodent habitats.

-- Although uncommon, limited human‑to‑human transmission of HPS due to Andes virus has been reported in community settings involving close and prolonged contact. 

-- Secondary infections among healthcare workers have been previously documented in healthcare facilities, though remain rare.

-- WHO currently assesses the risk to the global population from this event as low and will continue to monitor the epidemiological situation and update the risk assessment as more information becomes available.

WHO advice

-- WHO advises that States Parties involved in this event continue efforts in detection, investigation, reporting, case management, infection control, and public health management on board, including ship sanitation measures, in close coordination with the conveyance operator, to prevent and control infections caused by hantaviruses.

-- In the context of the current outbreak, passengers and crew members should practice frequent hand hygiene, remain vigilant of Hantavirus symptoms and undertake active symptom monitoring for 45 days.  

-- Crew must ensure adequate environmental cleaning (avoiding dry sweeping) and ventilation in the ship. 

-- Passengers and crew members experiencing symptoms should inform medical professionals on board and self-isolate. 

-- If respiratory symptoms are present to practice respiratory etiquette and wear a medical mask.

-- Vigilance among travellers, crew, including those involved in implementing ship sanitation measures, or other personnel returning from areas where hantavirus is known to be present, as well as on conveyances engaged in eco-tourism on a journey from and through those areas, is essential.

-- Early recognition of suspected cases, prompt isolation, and consistent adherence to recommended infection prevention and control measures remain essential to protect healthcare personnel.

-- Diagnosis of HPS is with serologic testing for IgM or rising titres of IgG antibodies using enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) or with reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) to detect viral RNA.

-- In healthcare environments, standard precautions* should be applied for all patients, including hand hygiene and safe handling of blood and body fluids. 

-- In addition to standard precautions, transmission-based precautions should be implemented for management of suspect or confirmed cases. 

-- Standard precautions combined with droplet precautions during close contact are considered sufficient. 

-- Routine airborne precautions are not typically required, except during aerosol‑generating procedures. [3]

-- When HPS is suspected, patients should be promptly transferred to an emergency department or intensive care unit for close monitoring and supportive management.

-- Initial management should include supportive care with antipyretics and analgesics as needed. 

-- For confirmed hantavirus, antibiotics are not routinely indicated. 

-- However, before a definitive diagnosis is established (and bacterial infection is a diagnostic possibility), or if superadded bacterial infection is suspected, empiric broad-spectrum antibiotics may be appropriate. 

-- Clinical management relies primarily on careful fluid administration, hemodynamic monitoring, and respiratory support. 

-- Given the rapid progression of HCPS, close monitoring and early transfer to ICU are critical for more severe cases. 

-- Mechanical ventilation, meticulous volume control, and vasopressors may be required. 

-- For severe cardiopulmonary insufficiency, extracorporeal mechanical oxygenation may be lifesaving. In severe cases of renal dysfunction, dialysis may be required.

-- Although ribavirin has shown efficacy against hantavirus haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, it has not demonstrated effectiveness for HCPS and is not licensed for either treatment or prophylaxis of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. 

-- At present, there is no specific antiviral treatment approved for HCPS.

-- Public health awareness efforts should focus on improving early detection, ensuring timely treatment, and reducing exposure risks. 

-- Preventive measures should address occupational and ecotourism-related exposures, emphasize standard and transmission-based infection prevention and control practices, and include rodent control strategies. 

-- Most routine tourism activities carry little or no risk of exposure to rodents or their excreta.

-- The potential for human-to-human transmission should be considered in areas where Andes and potentially other South American hantaviruses are endemic.

-- Individuals engaging in outdoor activities where endemic transmission is known, such as visiting rural areas, camping or hiking, should take precautions to minimise potential exposure to infectious materials.

-- Risk communication and community engagement interventions should prioritize transparent, timely, and culturally appropriate communication to raise awareness of hantavirus transmission risks—particularly exposure to rodent excreta in endemic areas—and promote practical preventive behaviours such as safe food storage, avoiding contact with rodents, wet-cleaning methods (no dry sweeping), and proper ventilation. 

-- Community engagement strategies should involve local leaders and workers in high-risk occupations to co-develop and disseminate tailored messages, address misinformation, and reinforce early care seeking.

-- Surveillance for HPS should be integrated into a comprehensive national surveillance system and include clinical, laboratory, and environmental components. The implementation of integrated environmental management strategies aimed at reducing rodent populations is also recommended.

-- WHO advises against the application of any travel or trade restrictions based on the current information available on this event. 

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{*} Standard precautions refer to a set of practices that are applied to the care of patients, regardless of the state of infection (suspicion or confirmation), in any place where health services are provided. These practices aim to protect both healthcare professionals and patients and include hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette, safe handling of sharps materials, safe injection practices, use of sterile instruments and equipment and cleaning of hospital environments and the environment. Adapted from “Standard precautions for the prevention and control of infections: aide-memoire”- WHO, 2022.  Available at https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-UHL-IHS-IPC-2022.1  

Further information

-- World Health Organization. Hantavirus fact sheet. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hantavirus

-- Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hantavirus-pulmonary-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20351838

-- Epidemiological Alert Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). https://www.paho.org/en/documents/epidemiological-alert-hantavirus-pulmonary-syndrome-americas-region-19-december-2025  

-- Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO). Hantavirus in the Americas: Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control. Available at: https://iris.paho.org/handle/10665.2/40176

-- Hantavirus Prevention, CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/prevention/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/hps/prevention.html

-- Martínez Valeria, Paola N, et al.. (2020). “Super-Spreaders” and Person-to-Person Transmission of Andes Virus in Argentina. New England Journal of Medicine. 383. 2230-2241. 10.1056/NEJMoa2009040.

-- World Health Organization. Hantavirus outbreak toolbox https://www.who.int/emergencies/outbreak-toolkit/disease-outbreak-toolboxes/hantavirus-outbreak-toolbox

-- US CDC. How to Clean Up After Rodents: https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-pets/rodent-control/clean-up.html

-- Hantavirus, Washington State Department of Heath, https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2025-08/420-056-Guideline-Hantavirus.pdf

-- Hantavirus Infection, MDS Manual, professional version: https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/infectious-diseases/arboviruses-arenaviridae-and-filoviridae/hantavirus-infection

-- Handbook for management of public health events on board ships https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241549462

-- World Health Organization. Guide to Ship Sanitation, 3rd edition https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241546690

-- World Health Organization. Vector surveillance and control at ports, airports and ground crossings https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241549592

-- Standard precautions for the prevention and control of infections: aide-memoire

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[1] Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO). Epidemiological Alert Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). https://www.paho.org/en/documents/epidemiological-alert-hantavirus-pulmonary-syndrome-americas-region-19-december-2025 

[2] Hantavirus infection - Annual Epidemiological Report for 2023. https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/hantavirus-infection-annual-epidemiological-report-2023

[3] Standard precautions for the prevention and control of infections: aide-memoire. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-UHL-IHS-IPC-2022.1 

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Citable reference: World Health Organization (4 May 2026). Disease Outbreak News. Hantavirus cluster linked to cruise ship travel- Multi-country. Available at: https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2026-DON599

Source: 

Link: https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2026-DON599

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