2026 case map
One map highlighting countries and territories with confirmed or suspected casesCountries with confirmed or suspected cases
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Latest outbreak news
Newest firstWhat is hantavirus and what are the symptoms of the virus that caused 3 deaths on a cruise ship heading to Spain
BBCEpidemiologist in Argentina's southernmost town rejects 'smear campaign' over hantavirus outbreak - AP News
AP NewsHantavirus Predictions & Real-Time Odds - polymarket.com
polymarket.comHantavirus - Droht eine neue Pandemie?
DW.comWhat is known about the hantavirus outbreak that started on an Atlantic cruise
O GloboSpain readies for evacuations as a hantavirus-hit cruise ship heads for the Canary Islands - AP News
AP NewsSpanish authorities prepare to receive hantavirus-hit cruise ship in Tenerife - AP News
AP NewsInfected, at sea: how the deadly hantavirus turned a dream cruise into tragedy
The Guardian2026 timeline
Cruise-linked outbreak only newest firstWHO update: 5 confirmed Andes hantavirus and 3 suspected
WHO said 5 of the 8 cluster cases are now PCR-confirmed Andes hantavirus with 3 still suspected. Public risk remains low. UKHSA reported a third British national with suspected infection. CDC raised its travel response to level 3.
WHO update 8 May 2026, UKHSA, CDCThree patients evacuated and ship sails for Spain
Three sick passengers were evacuated for treatment and the cruise ship continued north toward the Canary Islands while contact tracing expanded across countries.
AP Reuters CBS NewsInternational evacuation and monitoring reports
Wire services and health monitoring reported continuing evacuations response coordination and additional returned passenger monitoring in Europe.
Reuters AP ECDC and Google News clustersWHO public outbreak update
WHO reported seven cases with two confirmed five suspected three deaths one critical patient and three mild cases while the ship was moored off Cabo Verde.
WHO DON599WHO receives notification
The United Kingdom IHR focal point notified WHO of a severe acute respiratory illness cluster aboard the cruise ship.
WHO DON599ICU patient evacuated to South Africa
Case 3 was medically evacuated from Ascension to South Africa and later confirmed by PCR while hospitalized in ICU.
WHO DON599Confirmed fatal case reaches South Africa
Case 2 deteriorated during travel to Johannesburg and died on arrival. WHO later reported PCR confirmation for hantavirus.
WHO DON599Public health facts
What hantaviruses are
Hantaviruses are rodent-borne zoonotic viruses in the Hantaviridae family. Only some species are known to cause human disease.
Main route of infection
People are usually infected by inhaling aerosols from urine droppings or saliva of infected rodents or by touching contaminated material.
Human to human transmission
WHO and ECDC state that documented human to human transmission is limited to Andes virus in the Americas and is uncommon.
Syndromes
In the Americas hantaviruses can cause hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome. In Europe and Asia they mainly cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome.
Incubation window
Symptoms commonly begin one to eight weeks after exposure. WHO notes HPS symptoms often occur two to four weeks after exposure.
Treatment
There is no licensed specific antiviral treatment for hantavirus infection. Early supportive care and ICU access improve survival.
Prevention
Prevention focuses on rodent control sealing buildings safe wet cleaning of contaminated areas ventilation and avoiding dry sweeping or vacuuming droppings.
Global burden
WHO estimates roughly 10000 to over 100000 hantavirus infections worldwide each year with the largest burden in Asia and Europe.
FAQ
Is hantavirus airborne between people
The usual risk is airborne dust from rodent urine droppings or saliva. Human to human spread has only been documented for Andes virus in the Americas and remains uncommon.
What are the first symptoms
Early symptoms often include fever fatigue muscle aches headache dizziness chills nausea vomiting diarrhea and abdominal pain.
When does breathing trouble appear
For HPS CDC describes late symptoms four to ten days after the initial illness phase including cough shortness of breath and lungs filling with fluid.
How deadly is hantavirus
Severity depends on virus type and care. WHO reports case fatality below 1 to 15 percent in Asia and Europe and up to 50 percent in the Americas. CDC reports 38 percent mortality for people who develop HPS respiratory symptoms.
Is there a vaccine or cure
WHO CDC and ECDC state there is no licensed specific antiviral treatment for hantavirus infection. Supportive hospital care is the core treatment.
How do I clean a rodent contaminated area safely
Ventilate first. Do not dry sweep or vacuum. Wet contaminated material with disinfectant wear gloves and follow local public health guidance.
Should travelers be worried
WHO assessed low global risk for the cruise-linked event as of 4 May 2026. Travelers should avoid rodent exposure and seek care quickly if symptoms appear after a credible exposure.
Why do the map numbers differ by country
Countries publish different surveillance measures and years. The tracker labels every number with the reporting year source and whether it is confirmed current annual provisional or cumulative context.
Official sources
WHO Hantavirus fact sheetWHO DON599 cruise-linked clusterWHO Emergency Event 2026-E000227CDC About HantavirusCDC Reported US casesECDC Hantavirus AER 2023ECDC factsheet on orthohantavirus infectionsPAHO WHO Epidemiological Alert December 2025China CDC Weekly HFRS 2014 to 2023WHO Hantavirus Argentina 2019CDC MMWR Southwestern United States 1993