Recent updates from global public health partners highlight an ongoing multi‑country outbreak of Andes virus–associated Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) linked to cruise ship travel. According to the CDC, several confirmed cases of HPS have been identified among passengers, prompting continued investigation and updated situation reporting. The ABSA International's EIDC Other Zoonotic Agents Toolbox resource is updated regularly and includes clinical overviews, public health guidance, and FAQs.
A CDC Health Alert Network advisory (May 8, 2026) reported that epidemiologic investigations suggested a cluster of Hantavirus cases tied to a specific cruise itinerary (Hondius), emphasizing the need for heightened clinical awareness and rapid reporting.
The WHO Disease Outbreak News also noted this multi‑country cluster, describing the outbreak as linked to travel exposure and underscoring the importance of early symptom recognition, especially in travelers returning from affected voyages. WHO has additionally updated its Hantavirus fact sheets and released an expanded Hantavirus outbreak toolbox, providing global guidance on detection, risk mitigation, and outbreak response.
Further regional analyses from ECDC assess the overall risk to Europe as very low, though investigations remain ongoing.
The EIDC has compiled these resources to support biosafety professionals, laboratory personnel, and public health responders in understanding the current situation and implementing appropriate risk‑based controls. This Hantavirus toolbox includes links to outbreak summaries, laboratory testing guidance, biosafety recommendations, and peer‑reviewed literature related to Andes virus transmission, including evidence of rare person‑to‑person transmission observed in past outbreaks.
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