health
May 8, 2026
WHO warns of more hantavirus cases after cruise ship outbreak, but rules out global pandemic
The World Health Organization (WHO) warned of the possibility of detecting more hantavirus cases related to the outbreak on the cruise ship MV Hondius, although it assured that the epidemic risk remains low and that it is not the beginning of a pandemic.
TL;DR
- The WHO warns of potential additional hantavirus cases linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak.
- Eight cases, including three deaths, are associated with the ship; five are confirmed hantavirus and three are suspected.
- The Andes strain of hantavirus, capable of person-to-person transmission, was detected.
- The WHO states the epidemic risk remains low and it is not the start of a pandemic, citing lower contagiousness than COVID-19.
- The exact origin of the outbreak is unconfirmed, with symptoms appearing before the cruise for the first deceased passenger.
- Authorities are monitoring passengers and crew and tracing those who disembarked earlier.
- The ship's arrival in the Canary Islands has caused local concern, but it will not dock directly in Tenerife.