Potent In Vitro #Antiviral Activity of 4'-Fluorouridine Against Diverse #Orthohantaviruses including #Andes Virus

 

Highlights:

    • 4′-fluorouridine exhibits broad-spectrum activity against 16 orthohantaviruses.

    • The compound inhibits hantavirus replication by targeting the viral polymerase.

    • Efficacy is maintained in human endothelial and airway epithelial cells.

Abstract

Hantaviruses are emerging pathogens responsible for severe and often fatal diseases, including hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), for which no FDA-approved antivirals currently exist. Using a Seoul virus minigenome system, we first confirmed that the ribonucleoside analog 4’-fluorouridine (EIDD-2749) effectively targets the hantavirus polymerase complex, inhibiting viral RNA transcription and replication. We subsequently evaluated its antiviral activity against a comprehensive panel of 16 hantaviruses representing both Old and New World lineages including both the Chilean and Argentinian strains of Andes virus. 4’-fluorouridine demonstrated potent, dose-dependent inhibition across all viruses tested, with EC50 values uniformly in the low- to sub-micromolar range. Collectively, these findings establish 4’-fluorouridine as a highly potent, pan-hantavirus inhibitor and a promising candidate for further preclinical development.

Source: 

Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0166354226001269?via%3Dihub

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#Andes virus #outbreak linked to expedition cruise #ship travel, multi-country #investigation and response, April to June 2026

Abstract

As at 18 June 2026, 13 cases (12 confirmed and one probable) of Andes orthohantavirus have been reported (case–fatality: 23%), linked to the Dutch-flagged expedition cruise ship MV Hondius. The event involved individuals from 23 nationalities and required medical evacuation, repatriation, coordinated international contact tracing, isolation, quarantine and clinical and laboratory testing follow-up. To date, all cases have been passengers (10/121; 8%) or crew members (3/61; 5%). Ongoing monitoring and investigations aim to clarify the source of the outbreak, identify risk factors and prevent further spread.

Source: 

Link: https://www.eurosurveillance.org/content/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2026.31.24.2600477?emailalert=true#abstract_content

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#Andes #hantavirus #outbreak in cruise ship (ECDC, June 17 '26): Some quarantined individuals have left isolation after completing follow-up

 

    On 2 May 2026, ECDC was notified of a cluster of severe respiratory illness on MV Hondius, a Dutch-flagged cruise ship with passengers and crew from 23 countries, including nine EU/EEA countries. 

    The virus has been identified as Andes hantavirus.

    As of 17 June 2026, 13 cases have been reported in total, including 12 confirmed and one probable case.

    As of 17 June 2026, some of the identified contacts associated with the outbreak have completed their quarantine period, while others are expected to do so in the coming days. 

    Public health authorities continue to monitor the identified contacts however, based on the information currently available, the likelihood of additional cases related to this event is considered very low. 

    The risk to the general population in the EU/EEA remains very low.

    ° Confirmed cases: 12

    ° Probable cases: 1

    ° Suspected cases: 0

    ° Number of deaths: 3

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/infectious-disease-topics/hantavirus-infection/surveillance-and-updates/andes-hantavirus-outbreak

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#Incubation and infectious period, asymptomatic or presymptomatic #transmission and transmission route in #human-to-human spread of #hantavirus #infection (UKHSA, summary)

 

{Summary)

Main messages 

    1. This systematic evidence summary (search up 1 May 2026) identified and summarised evidence relating to the incubation and infectious period, asymptomatic or presymptomatic transmission and transmission route in human-to-human transmission of hantavirus infection.  

    2. Human-to-human transmission was only reported for Andes virus.  

    3. Seventeen studies were identified to include (1 to 17). All studies were from South America (Argentina, Chile, Paraguay or Uruguay) from 1995 to 2024. Three sets of studies clearly reported on the same outbreak.  

    4. Seven studies reported the incubation period, or enough information to calculate the incubation period of Andes virus (4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17). Four of these reported overlapping evidence, (4, 8, 12, 17) leaving 5 independent reports. The reported incubation period ranged from 9 to 40 days, with studies reporting a mean between 21.6 to 27.5 days.   

    5. Three studies reporting incubation period included children (6, 10, 12). When evidence for children was separated, the range was 14 to 26 days. The mean (and standard deviation, SD) from one study with data to calculate it was 19.8 days (3.7) in children and 21.9 days (7.4) in adults (12). The available evidence was insufficient to determine if there was a significant difference between adults and children and not all studies separated the results.   

    6. Twelve studies reported the serial interval or enough information to calculate the serial interval of Andes virus (1, 2, 5, 9 to 14, 16, 17). Four of these reported overlapping evidence,(10, 11, 14, 17) leaving 10 independent reports. The reported serial interval ranged from 4 to 40 days with means across studies from 19.6 to 25.7 days.  

    7. Six studies reporting serial interval included children (2, 5, 9, 10, 12, 16). When evidence for children was separated, the range was 16 to 29 days. The mean (and SD) from one study with data to calculate it was 19.7 (3.5) in children and 19.5 (8.1) in adults. The available evidence was insufficient to determine if there was a significant difference between adults and children and not all studies separated the results.  

    8. None of the studies reported confirmed route of transmission. Some hypothesised routes from exposures including the possibility of respiratory, direct contact via breastfeeding, other direct contact and sexual transmission. None ruled out respiratory or fomite transmission alongside other possible routes.  

    9. No studies reported evidence of asymptomatic or presymptomatic transmission. 

    10. Most studies included groups identified as being at risk of health inequalities, including children, pregnant women, people living in rural settings and people in occupations at higher risk of exposure such as agricultural workers or farmers and people working in healthcare settings. However, none of the studies provided a comparison between groups and it was not possible to determine if outcomes differed in these groups. 

    11. Critical appraisal was not performed, which restricts the interpretation of the findings, but important limitations have been highlighted. There were a limited number of cases with likely human-to-human transmission which limits the generalisability of the evidence. Many studies also highlighted the possibility than some of these cases also had environmental exposure, although human-to-human transmission was most likely. All studies rely on selfreport of exposure and symptom onset dates, which may be subject to recall bias or misreporting. There was also discrepancy between some studies reporting on the same cases, which highlights the likelihood of misreporting of this evidence.  

    12. In summary, there was evidence from a limited number of cases to provide information of the incubation period and serial interval for human-to-human transmission of Andes virus. There was no information available that directly informed the infectious period in humans. Evidence suggested incubation period could range from 9 to 40 days, with studies reporting a mean between 21.6 to 27.5 days. The reported serial interval ranged from 4 to 40 days with means from 19.6 to 25.7 days. Although no studies were able to confirm route of transmission, some proposed routes through exposures, including the possibility of direct contact via breast-feeding, and sexual transmission or contact. No studies reported evidence of asymptomatic or presymptomatic transmission. All of the evidence is at risk of bias from misreport or recall bias, possible environmental exposure and ability to generalise due to small numbers of cases. 

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hantavirus-human-to-human-infection-transmission-parameters

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Twenty-one #countries launch coordinated #Andes virus #research initiative following #hantavirus #outbreak (WHO, June 12 '26)

 

    Following the recent Andes virus (ANDV) outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship, a globally coordinated outbreak research initiative involving investigators and institutions across 21 countries has begun implementation,  demonstrating how international research preparedness systems can be rapidly activated during health emergencies.

    The initiative, known as NAVIS, is a natural history study designed to improve understanding of ANDV transmission dynamics, incubation periods, immune responses, viral kinetics, and determinants of severe disease through harmonized longitudinal follow-up of exposed individuals.

    The study will use a harmonized prospective protocol, which was developed by Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain, for immediate deployment after an emergency scientific consultation coordinated through the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)-led Hantavirus Collaborative Open Research Consortium (CORC) mobilized more than 1600 experts from over 130 countries to identify urgent scientific priorities and coordinate international research activities.

    “Closing gaps in our scientific knowledge is key to the development of medical countermeasures, and through international coordination we ensure this is accelerated. Preparedness, therefore, must include the ability to rapidly generate scientific evidence during outbreaks, not only respond to them,” said Yper Hall of the UKHSA.

    By using standardized approaches across countries, NAVIS aims to generate comparable datasets to better understand the pathogen and inform the development of medical countermeasures like tests, treatments and vaccines.

    Coordination of the NAVIS platform is being supported by ANRS Emerging Infectious Diseases (ANRS-MIE) under BE READY, a EU-funded global initiative to strengthen research preparedness and rapid scientific mobilization for future epidemics and pandemics. The study will use ISARIC (International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection Consortium), an adaptable research framework designed to enable rapid, standardized data and sample collection during emerging infectious disease outbreaks.

    Participating countries include: 

    ° Australia, 

    ° Belgium, 

    ° Canada, 

    ° Democratic Republic of the Congo, 

    ° Denmark, 

    ° France, 

    ° Germany, 

    ° Greece, 

    ° Ireland, 

    ° Italy, 

    ° Japan, 

    ° the Netherlands, 

    ° New Zealand, 

    ° Singapore, 

    ° South Africa, 

    ° Spain, 

    ° Switzerland, 

    ° Türkiye, 

    ° the United Kingdom and 

    ° the United States.

    Participating institutions include leading infectious disease, clinical research, and public health centres such as the Australian Centre for Disease Control, Sinai Health System, Institut National de la Recherche Médicale (Inserm), Hellenic Pasteur Institute, University College Dublin, National Centre for Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Zurich, University of Liverpool, and Emory University, among others.

    “The rapid launch of NAVIS across 21 countries shows what is possible when research networks are established before outbreaks occur,” commented Yazdan Yazdanpanah of ANRS-MIE.

    NAVIS represents a practical example of outbreak research preparedness under the World Health Organization’s R&D Blueprint, which establishes research networks for pathogen families, to support rapid scientific coordination and implementation of outbreak research before emergencies emerge.

    Outbreaks such as that of the ANDV present rare opportunities for scientific investigation, with a limited window of time for generating robust evidence. Without rapid coordination and harmonized protocols, opportunities to better understand the pathogen can be lost.

    “Scientific evidence generation during outbreaks must become operational, coordinated, and immediately deployable. Future outbreak responses should begin by activating research systems that already exist rather than trying to build them during crises,” said Sylvie Briand, Chief Scientist at WHO.

    The initiative also highlights the importance of geographically-distributed research preparedness. Countries and regions where outbreaks emerge or pathogens circulate must be central participants in evidence generation through strengthened clinical trial networks, national ethics committees, laboratory systems, surveillance platforms, and outbreak research infrastructure.

    The ANDV outbreak demonstrated the importance of research preparedness. Future outbreak responses should no longer begin by building research systems during crises. They should begin by activating systems that already exist.

Source: 

Link: https://www.who.int/news/item/12-06-2026-twenty-one-countries-launch-coordinated-andes-virus-research-initiative-following-hantavirus-outbreak

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#Andes #hantavirus #outbreak in cruise ship (ECDC, June 11 '26): 1 case reclassified from probable to confirmed

 

    This page is updated as more information becomes available. It was last updated 11 June at 13:05.

    On 2 May 2026, ECDC was notified of a cluster of severe respiratory illness on MV Hondius, a Dutch-flagged cruise ship with passengers and crew from 23 countries, including nine EU/EEA countries. 

    The virus has been identified as Andes hantavirus.

    As of 11 June 2026, 13 cases have been reported in total, including 12 confirmed and one probable case.

    Since the last update on 26 May 2026, one of the previously reported probable cases was reclassified as confirmed following positive laboratory result for hantavirus infection.

    The identification of additional cases after former passengers and crew returned to their home country is possible given the long incubation period of Andes hantavirus and the possibility that some infections occurred on board on the ship. 

    The risk to the EU/EEA general population remains very low.

    ° Confirmed cases: 12

    ° Probable cases: 1

    ° Suspected cases: 0

    ° Number of deaths: 3

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/infectious-disease-topics/hantavirus-infection/surveillance-and-updates/andes-hantavirus-outbreak

____

#UK Health Security Agency #update on the #hantavirus cruise ship #outbreak (June 10 '26): a probable case was retrospectively lab confirmed

 

Latest update

    UKHSA continues to work closely with partners in response to the hantavirus outbreak.

    UKHSA laboratories have confirmed a positive hantavirus test result for an individual in Tristan de Cunha, who was previously considered a probable case by WHO with exposure on MV Hondius. 

    This is not a new case.

    The samples were collected in May and the individual is now clinically well at home in Tristan de Cunha.

    All necessary public health actions have been carried out. 

    There is no change to the public health risk to the UK population from Hantavirus, which remains very low.

Source: 

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

____

Could #bradykinin #pathway inhibition change the course of severe #hantavirus disease?

 

Highlights

    • Hantavirus triggers the kallikrein–kinin system, driving severe capillary leak.

    • In vitro data show that bradykinin directly disrupts endothelial barrier function.

    • Two clinical cases support targeting the bradykinin pathway with icatibant.

Abstract

A recent multi-country hantavirus outbreak associated with a cruise ship underscores the urgent need to understand the mechanisms driving severe vascular leakage and multi-organ failure. While disease severity is largely attributed to a dysregulated host immune response and intense cytokine surge, the precise molecular mediators remain incompletely defined. Laboratory evidence indicates that hantavirus infection activates the factor XII–dependent kallikrein–kinin system, leading to elevated bradykinin production and subsequent endothelial barrier dysfunction. This translational mechanism is tentatively supported by two clinical case reports where severe hantavirus infections were successfully treated with the bradykinin receptor antagonist icatibant. We hypothesize that exaggerated bradykinin signalling drives the vascular leak phenotype, making the kallikrein–kinin pathway a compelling therapeutic target. Ultimately, effectively combating hantavirus-induced vascular permeability may require a multi-faceted approach combining targeted bradykinin inhibition with broader immunomodulatory strategies.

Source: 

Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S016524782600074X?via%3Dihub

____

#Taiwan, #NZ #passenger of the cruise #ship MV #Hondius tested negative four times and released from self-health management on June 7 (CDC, edited)

 

    The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced today (June 7) that following the Hantavirus Andean cluster outbreak on the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius, and after notification through the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Health Regulations (IHR) mechanism, Taiwan has identified one New Zealand passenger who had traveled on the cruise ship and entered Taiwan on May 7. 

    Following expert advice, the CDC arranged for the case to undergo enhanced self-health management and health monitoring in a single-person hospital room until midnight on June 6. 

    The enhanced self-health management was lifted on June 7, and Taiwan's IHR office notified the WHO and New Zealand's IHR office.

    The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stated that the passenger did not exhibit fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or other symptoms suspected to be related to Hantavirus infection during the monitoring period. 

    The passenger underwent four tests on May 14, May 20, May 27, and June 3, including PCR testing for Hantavirus Andes strain and serum IgM and IgG antibody tests, all of which were negative. 

    The passenger's health condition is stable. 

    The CDC emphasized that the passenger has completed a 42-day enhanced self-health monitoring period after testing negative and poses no risk of community transmission in Taiwan.

    The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) explained that the Hantavirus Andean strain cluster on the Dutch cruise ship "MV Hondius" has reported a total of 13 cases as of June 2 (11 confirmed cases and 2 probable cases), with 3 deaths, resulting in a case fatality rate of 23%. 

    International contact tracing is ongoing; as of May 22, over 600 contacts have been traced, 53% of whom are high-risk contacts. 

    The WHO assesses this outbreak as low-risk globally. 

    The CDC will continue to monitor the outbreak through international cooperation mechanisms such as the WHO and IHR, and will adjust relevant prevention and control measures as needed based on the development of the epidemic.

Source: 

Link: https://www.cdc.gov.tw/Bulletin/Detail/kNW6ZgmX0N8DQepCuX63xg?typeid=9

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#Hantavirus #outbreak on a cruise #ship in the South Atlantic

 

{Excerpt}

On May 2, 2026, a cluster of severe respiratory illness among passengers aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic was reported to WHO, and a suspected hantavirus outbreak was identified. The vessel departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1, 2026, carrying 147 individuals (88 passengers and 59 crew members) from 23 countries.1 This event raises concerns about surveillance, outbreak response, containment, and the potential for international spread of hantavirus. As of May 4, 2026, seven cases (two laboratory confirmed and five suspected) have been identified, including three deaths, corresponding to a crude case-fatality rate of more than 40%.1 All patients presented with fever or gastrointestinal symptoms, or both, with rapid progression to pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and shock in severe cases.1 The overall attack rate was 4·8% (seven of 147 individuals on board infected).1

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)00934-7/fulltext?rss=yes

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Cruise #ship #hantavirus #outbreak in remote #island communities

 

On April 27, 2026, the Dutch-flagged expedition cruise ship MV Hondius arrived at Ascension Island, a remote mid-Atlantic UK Overseas Territory (UKOT). The vessel had left Ushuaia (Argentina) on April 1, 2026, then visited the Antarctic Peninsula and other UKOT islands in the south Atlantic: the British Antarctic Territory, South Georgia, Tristan da Cunha, and St Helena (figure).1 At Ascension Island, a 69-year-old man (case 3) with a severe respiratory syndrome was admitted into the care of the island's small medical team. This team resuscitated the patient and arranged for a medical evacuation service in South Africa to transfer him to intensive care in Johannesburg. 

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)01014-7/fulltext?rss=yes

____

#Spain, Health authorities have established #criteria for #hospital discharge and follow-up for confirmed cases of #hantavirus (June 4 '26)

 

    Madrid, June 4, 2026 

    The Ministry of Health has updated the protocol for managing people affected by the Andes hantavirus outbreak associated with the MV Hondius cruise ship, establishing the clinical and microbiological criteria that will allow hospital discharge of confirmed cases and the conditions for the completion of contact tracing.

    According to the protocol approved by the Public Health Commission, people diagnosed with Andes hantavirus infection who remain admitted to a High Level Isolation and Treatment Unit (UATAN) may be discharged from the hospital once clinical recovery has been achieved, for which they must have remained at least three days without symptoms compatible with the disease and obtain two negative results in PCR tests performed on urine and oropharyngeal exudate, separated by a minimum interval of 48 hours.

    The most recent studies on Andes virus show that viral RNA can be detected in blood for an extended period after clinical recovery. 

    For this reason, discharge criteria are not based solely on a negative blood PCR test, but also on the absence of symptoms and negative results in biological samples most directly related to possible viral shedding, such as urine and oropharyngeal swabs.

    Consequently, the protocol expressly acknowledges that some individuals may continue to test positive for COVID-19 via PCR in their blood after hospital discharge. 

    Available scientific evidence indicates that this persistence of viral genetic material can continue after clinical recovery, without posing a risk of disease transmission. 

    In these cases, they will remain under clinical follow-up for six months to monitor their progress, detect any potential long-term effects, and undergo regular check-ups until the test is negative.

    Those being monitored as contacts must complete the maximum quarantine period established by the protocol. 

    If they remain asymptomatic throughout the home monitoring period, a sample will be taken at the end of this period and analyzed by the National Microbiology Center. 

    Only after obtaining a negative result will they be able to end the monitoring measures and fully resume their normal activities.

    These measures are part of the surveillance and control system designed to ensure the safety of patients, healthcare professionals and the general population, applying the precautionary principle while international monitoring of this outbreak continues.

Source: 

Link: https://www.sanidad.gob.es/gabinete/notasPrensa.do?id=6928

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#Scenario #analysis for potential #community spread of #Andes virus (ANDV)

 

Abstract

We simulated the potential community spread of Andes virus (ANDV) following the introduction of a single infectious individual in a generic population, based on epidemiological parameters derived from a human-to-human historical outbreak. Under current available evidence, our analyses suggest that, within 4 months from the index case’s symptom onset, the expected outbreak size is unlikely to exceed 50 cases, with a high probability of epidemic extinction, particularly when > 50% cases are effectively isolated from the start of the outbreak.

Source: 

Link: https://www.eurosurveillance.org/content/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2026.31.22.2600425#abstract_content

____

Why #Andes #hantavirus is not the next #SARS-CoV-2: contrasting viral shedding, #transmissibility and #genomic patterns

 

Abstract

A cruise ship-associated Andes hantavirus outbreak has raised questions usually associated with respiratory viruses, including transmissibility and pandemic risk. Although Andes virus may enter through the respiratory route, cause severe respiratory disease and under close contact spread between humans, it differs fundamentally from SARS-CoV-2. The ecology is rodent-borne, pathogenesis is vascular, diagnosis is centred on blood PCR and serology, and genetic diversity is mainly shaped by reservoir ecology and geography rather than by sustained human-to-human transmission and immune selection.

Source: 

Link: https://www.eurosurveillance.org/content/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2026.31.22.2600428?emailalert=true#abstract_content

____

Use of #tocilizumab for severe #hantavirus pulmonary syndrome: a MEURI case series with contextual comparisons

 

Summary

Background

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a rare zoonotic disease associated with high mortality, acute respiratory failure, shock, capillary leak, and systemic inflammation. Currently, no specific antiviral or immunomodulatory therapy has proven effective for routine clinical use. The current cruise-associated hantavirus outbreak motivated this early descriptive report from an ongoing, larger, pre–post study (ISRCTN72088243). We aimed to describe tocilizumab use under the Monitored Emergency Use of Unregistered and Investigational Interventions (MEURI) framework.

Methods

In this descriptive case series at Hospital Zonal de Bariloche Dr Ramón Carrillo, San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina, patients with laboratory-confirmed severe hantavirus pulmonary syndrome and requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission or assessment were eligible to receive tocilizumab in addition to standard supportive care, in accordance with the MEURI framework. Tocilizumab was administered to patients within 24 h of ICU admission or ICU-level evaluation as a single intravenous dose of 8 mg/kg, up to a maximum of 800 mg. During this time, five eligible patients could not receive tocilizumab because timely administration was not feasible due to drug unavailability or refractory shock at diagnosis. This case series represents the first report from the larger, ongoing, pre–post study (ISRCTN72088243). The main descriptive outcome was survival to ICU discharge in patients who received tocilizumab and patients who were eligible to receive tocilizumab but did not.

Findings

Between June 1, 2024, and May 5, 2026, 13 patients with laboratory-confirmed hantavirus pulmonary syndrome were evaluated for inclusion after institutional approval of the MEURI protocol. Ten met eligibility criteria for tocilizumab; five received tocilizumab and five did not. In the five eligible non-treated patients, two were diagnosed when they were already in refractory shock, precluding timely administration, and three did not receive tocilizumab because the drug was unavailable when treatment was being considered. Four of five tocilizumab-treated patients survived to ICU discharge. The fifth treated patient died after rapid progression to refractory shock. All five eligible non-treated patients died after ICU admission.

Interpretation

These observations suggest that IL-6 inhibition warrants further evaluation within the MEURI framework or analogous expanded-access frameworks, and, when feasible, collaborative randomised studies with standardised data collection.

Funding

None.

Translations

For the Spanish translations of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

Source: 

Link: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(26)00285-9/abstract

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#USA, #Oregon Health Agency, local public health monitoring #passenger exposed to #Andes virus (DoH, June 2 '26)

 

June 2, 2026

    Individual was aboard outbreak-stricken MV Hondius cruise ship

    PORTLAND, Ore.—Public health officials are monitoring an Oregon resident after their return this week from a Nebraska quarantine facility, where the individual stayed after disembarking from the cruise ship MV Hondius.

    The resident, who has asked for privacy, arrived home in Oregon June 1 and will remain in quarantine through June 21—42 days following their return to the United States on May 10.

    Since May 10, the Oregon resident has been at the National Quarantine Unit (NQU) at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. The resident was transported to the facility after disembarking with other U.S. passengers from the MV Hondius in Spain following an outbreak of the Andes strain of hantavirus aboard the cruise ship, which departed Ushuaia, Argentina, April 1.

    Oregon Health Authority has collaborated closely with federal and local partners, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local public health authorities, on the response to the Andes virus outbreak. This has included implementing guidelines for the safe return of any Oregon passenger to the state.

    OHA reminds people that the risk of infection with Andes virus in Oregon remains extremely low and there are no concerns of transmission to the general public.

    CDC has published Interim Guidance for Public Health Assessment and Management of People with Potential Exposure to Andes Virus to support monitoring of individuals with exposure to the Andes virus on the MV Hondius cruise.

###

Source: 

Link: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ERD/Pages/OHA-local-public-health-monitoring-passenger-exposed-to-Andes-virus-06.02.2026.aspx

____

#UK Health Security Agency #update on the #hantavirus cruise ship #outbreak (June 2 '26)

 

Latest update

    UKHSA continues to work closely with partners in response to the hantavirus outbreak.  

    Following a review of evidence, the self-isolation period for contacts of confirmed Andes hantavirus cases in the UK has now been reduced to 42 days. 

    This aligns with WHO guidance. 

    Those isolating in the UK have been informed.  

    UKHSA’s initial 45-day approach was based on early risk assessment and was adopted until further epidemiological information emerged on the outbreak strain. 

    Subsequent WHO guidance reduced this to a 42-day isolation period, which has now been adopted by most countries, including the UK.  

    Professor Robin May, Chief Scientific Officer at UKHSA, said: 

        ''Following a review of the evidence on Andes hantavirus, I am pleased to say that the isolation period for contacts in the UK has now been reduced to 42 days in line with WHO guidance.  

        ''We know this has been a challenging time for the passengers, crew and other contacts and we want to express our gratitude to everyone for their cooperation throughout. 

        ''Our teams will continue to work closely with local authorities and the NHS to ensure everyone affected by this outbreak has the necessary support in place.

Source: 

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

____

First reported case of #Andes #hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome treated with a combination of #favipiravir, #ribavirin, icatibant and baricitinib

 

ABSTRACT

Objectives

To describe the first documented case of Andes virus (ANDV) hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) in Spain and the first worldwide use of a therapeutic regime including two antivirals (favipiravir and ribavirin) and two host-directed drugs (baricitinib and icatibant).

Methods

A 69-year-old Spanish man, repatriated following a multinational ANDV outbreak aboard a cruise ship, was managed in a high-level isolation unit. Diagnosis was established by RT-PCR and serology while he was still asymptomatic as part of protocol-driven screening. Under compassionate-use authorisation and written informed consent, the patient received ribavirin (initially intravenous, then switched to oral on day +4), oral favipiravir, subcutaneous icatibant, and oral baricitinib, with serial clinical, laboratory, and radiological monitoring.

Results

Hypoxaemia, bilateral B-lines, thrombocytopenia, lymphopenia, and hyponatraemia developed within 24 hours after diagnosis. The combination regimen was initiated on day 0, and baricitinib was added on day +1, coinciding with the need for high-flow nasal oxygen. Sustained clinical, laboratory, and radiological recovery occurred from day +2 onwards, without progression to invasive ventilation or vasopressors. Mild diarrhoea attributed to ribavirin led to its discontinuation on day +5, shortly after the IV-to-oral switch. Severe recurrent diarrhoea on day +8, attributed to favipiravir, prompted its withdrawal before completion of the planned 10-day course; baricitinib was completed on day +10.

Conclusions

This sentinel case of imported HCPS in non-endemic Europe was managed with, to our knowledge, the first reported combined antiviral and host-directed regimen for this syndrome and the first reported use of favipiravir in a patient with hantavirus infection. The favourable outcome supports prospective evaluation of antiviral combinations and adjunctive immunomodulation within international preparedness protocols.

Source: 

Link: https://www.clinicalmicrobiologyandinfection.org/article/S1198-743X(26)00310-1/fulltext

____

#Outbreak at #Sea: The MV Hondius #Hantavirus #Cluster as a Sentinel for Global #Pandemic Readiness

 

{Summary}

The South Atlantic promises crystalline isolation. But the Dutch-flagged MV Hondius—an expedition vessel carrying 147 passengers and crew from 23 nations—harbored something else entirely between the Southern Cone and Antarctica [1, 2]. An invisible passenger. Epidemiologists trace this outbreak directly to dry land, theorizing the index case inhaled aerosolized rodent excreta during a Southern Cone bird-watching excursion [1].

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Source: 

Link: https://www.ijidonline.com/article/S1201-9712(26)00473-X/fulltext

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#Hantavirus #infections: an emerging zoonotic #threat in the context of #ecological change

 

{Extract}

Dear Editor,

Hantaviruses, belonging to the family Hantaviridae, are increasingly recognized as significant zoonotic pathogens responsible for severe human diseases, including hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS). Although traditionally considered geographically confined, recent epidemiological data indicate a gradual expansion in the incidence and geographic distribution of hantavirus infections, raising concerns regarding their re-emergence as a global public health threat [1,2]. 

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Source: 

Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2052297526000673?via%3Dihub

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