Did hantavirus spread between people before cruise ship outbreak? Tracing rare cases

In May 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported human-to-human transmission of hantavirus among passengers on the MV Hondius cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean. The outbreak resulted in eight cases of severe respiratory illness, with three deaths and five confirmed hantavirus infections, according to WHO data. Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s director of Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness, stated during a May 5 press conference that the organization believed person-to-person transmission occurred aboard the ship. False claims circulated on social media suggesting this was the first instance of hantavirus spreading between humans, but research disproves this. Studies from 1996 and 2018 documented outbreaks of the Andes virus (ANDV) variant, the only known hantavirus strain capable of human-to-human transmission. The WHO and South African health authorities confirmed the MV Hondius cases involved the same ANDV strain. The WHO described human-to-human transmission of hantavirus as uncommon, occurring only between close contacts like couples or cabin-sharing individuals. Previous research supports this, showing transmission requires prolonged proximity. Despite the rarity, the MV Hondius outbreak highlights the need for vigilance in monitoring zoonotic viruses with emerging transmission patterns. The WHO’s latest disease outbreak bulletin emphasized that hantavirus infections typically result from rodent contact, not human spread. The agency stressed that while ANDV can transmit between people, such cases remain isolated and dependent on direct, sustained exposure. Public health officials continue to investigate the cruise ship outbreak to determine transmission routes and prevent further spread.