The outbreak of hantavirus on the cruise ship raises concerns
7 may 2026 в 23:13
Since the world has recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic, any viral outbreaks raise concerns. Recently, an outbreak of hantavirus—specifically, the Andes virus—was detected on a cruise ship, causing worries among Americans that infected passengers could spread it. So, is there the virus in the U.S.
Below you can learn about the hantavirus outbreak in 2026 and what it means for Americans.
Hantavirus is a rare and potentially deadly virus. If a person becomes infected, it can lead to serious illness, the most common of which is hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), which typically begins with flu-like symptoms before progressing to severe respiratory issues.
Although hantavirus cases are rare, people around the world are still concerned about the recent discovery on the MV Hondius cruise ship.
Last year, Gina Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa, died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. She was 65 years old.
No. At this time, there is no FDA-approved vaccine for hantavirus.
Infection usually occurs through contact with infected rodents or their urine, feces, or saliva.
In this case, we are talking about the Andes virus—which…
Hantavirus is typically transmitted through direct contact with the fluids of infected rodents, such as urine, feces, or saliva, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It can also be transmitted through a bite or scratch from a rodent, although this is rare, or if a person inhales contaminated air from rodent droppings.
However, the Andes virus is known for its potential for person-to-person transmission. This type of virus is primarily found in Chile and Argentina, from where the MV Hondius cruise ship originated.
In general, yes—hantavirus cases have been observed in the U.S. for many years. Most cases in the Western Hemisphere are hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
As of May 2026, several American passengers aboard the MV Hondius are being monitored for hantavirus symptoms. Two residents are being tracked by state officials, according to USA Today. They returned to the U.S. before hantavirus was detected on the cruise.
No. At the time of publication, the WHO has not declared this hantavirus outbreak an epidemic. During a WHO briefing in May 2026, Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove emphasized that hantavirus is different from coronaviruses, particularly SARS-CoV-2, which we encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic.
«I want to be very clear: this is not SARS-CoV-2. This is not the beginning of a COVID pandemic», - she said. «This is an outbreak that we are observing on the ship (and) in a limited area… But this is not the same situation we were in six years ago»
Below you can learn about the hantavirus outbreak in 2026 and what it means for Americans.
Hantavirus is a rare and potentially deadly virus. If a person becomes infected, it can lead to serious illness, the most common of which is hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), which typically begins with flu-like symptoms before progressing to severe respiratory issues.
Although hantavirus cases are rare, people around the world are still concerned about the recent discovery on the MV Hondius cruise ship.
Last year, Gina Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa, died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. She was 65 years old.
No. At this time, there is no FDA-approved vaccine for hantavirus.
Infection usually occurs through contact with infected rodents or their urine, feces, or saliva.
In this case, we are talking about the Andes virus—which…
Hantavirus is typically transmitted through direct contact with the fluids of infected rodents, such as urine, feces, or saliva, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It can also be transmitted through a bite or scratch from a rodent, although this is rare, or if a person inhales contaminated air from rodent droppings.
However, the Andes virus is known for its potential for person-to-person transmission. This type of virus is primarily found in Chile and Argentina, from where the MV Hondius cruise ship originated.
In general, yes—hantavirus cases have been observed in the U.S. for many years. Most cases in the Western Hemisphere are hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
As of May 2026, several American passengers aboard the MV Hondius are being monitored for hantavirus symptoms. Two residents are being tracked by state officials, according to USA Today. They returned to the U.S. before hantavirus was detected on the cruise.
No. At the time of publication, the WHO has not declared this hantavirus outbreak an epidemic. During a WHO briefing in May 2026, Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove emphasized that hantavirus is different from coronaviruses, particularly SARS-CoV-2, which we encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic.
«I want to be very clear: this is not SARS-CoV-2. This is not the beginning of a COVID pandemic», - she said. «This is an outbreak that we are observing on the ship (and) in a limited area… But this is not the same situation we were in six years ago»
© Puhova Marina
