Story perspectives

Andes Hantavirus Hits Cruise: 8 Cases, 3 Deaths

5/9/2026

Center

**WHO Confirms Outbreak**

The outbreak involves the Andes strain, the sole hantavirus documented to transmit between humans.
WHO confirmed eight hantavirus cases and three deaths among MV Hondius passengers and crew, now sailing toward the Canary Islands.
State health departments in Arizona, Georgia, California and Texas are monitoring passengers who remain asymptomatic.
The U.S. Department of State arranged a flight returning 17 passengers to Nebraska for quarantine.

Left

**WHO Oversees Evacuation**

The outbreak exposed gaps in U.S. pandemic preparedness after President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the WHO.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus traveled to the Canary Islands to oversee ship isolation and passenger repatriation.
Critics said the CDC delayed communication and provided limited on-site support, increasing public anxiety.
Health officials warned the Andes hantavirus spreads only through prolonged close contact, keeping risk low.

History

Historical Context

The SARS outbreak, first identified in Guangdong in November 2002, spread to Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore and Canada by early 2003, prompting the WHO to issue its first global health alert on 12 March 2003. Over 8,098 infections and 774 deaths were recorded, leading WHO to gain authority for emergency response and to adopt the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in 2003.

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**WHO Confirms Outbreak**

The outbreak involves the Andes strain, the sole hantavirus documented to transmit between humans.
WHO confirmed eight hantavirus cases and three deaths among MV Hondius passengers and crew, now sailing toward the Canary Islands.
State health departments in Arizona, Georgia, California and Texas are monitoring passengers who remain asymptomatic.
The U.S. Department of State arranged a flight returning 17 passengers to Nebraska for quarantine.

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