Abstract
Andes virus (ANDV), the only hantavirus known to be transmitted person-to-person, is endemic to areas of South America and can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which has a case-fatality rate of approximately 40%. On May 4, 2026, CDC was notified of seven cases of severe acute respiratory illness, including three deaths, among 147 persons aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean; the illnesses were later confirmed to be caused by ANDV. No cases occurred among passengers who were U.S. residents. Ten of 28 U.S. resident passengers disembarked before ANDV infection was confirmed aboard the ship. On May 10, the remaining 18 U.S. resident passengers were repatriated to the National Quarantine Unit in Omaha, Nebraska, for risk assessment and monitoring, and where optimized advanced care was available, should symptoms develop. CDC and U.S. health departments monitored 60 additional U.S. residents potentially exposed on flights involving a passenger with symptomatic ANDV infection from the cruise, totaling 88 contacts across 27 jurisdictions. All 88 contacts completed 42 days of monitoring, with no secondary ANDV infections identified. Worldwide, local health authorities assessed and monitored approximately 653 potentially exposed persons from 33 countries. This response highlights the value of rapid coordination among partners to locate and monitor potentially exposed persons during an international outbreak to reduce the risk for ANDV transmission. Prompt notification to public health authorities can facilitate testing, patient care, contact identification, and implementation of measures to limit secondary transmission.
Source: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7543a1
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