World Health Organization Coordinates Response to Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship
The World Health Organization (WHO) is actively coordinating a response to a hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius. The outbreak, which was first reported on May 2, 2026, involves 11 cases, including three fatalities. The cases are primarily linked to the Andes virus, a strain of hantavirus endemic to South America. The WHO has been working with national authorities to implement public health measures, including international contact tracing and epidemiological investigations. The outbreak is believed to have originated from a passenger who contracted the virus prior to boarding, with subsequent human-to-human transmission occurring on the ship. The WHO has assessed the global risk as low but continues to monitor the situation closely. 
