2026 Hantavirus Outbreak — Live Global Tracker
This real-time tracker monitors the 2026 hantavirus outbreak across all active regions. Data is sourced from WHO Disease Outbreak Notices, ECDC, CDC, and national health ministries.
MV Hondius Cruise Ship Hantavirus Outbreak (2026)
In April 2026, passengers aboard the MV Hondius polar expedition cruise ship contracted Andes virus during shore excursions near Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. As of 12 May 2026: 9 confirmed cases, 3 deaths, 47 people under monitoring across 20 countries. The ship docked in Tenerife on 10 May 2026. The WHO issued Disease Outbreak Notice DON-600.
Affected countries include: Netherlands, United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, France, Canada, Belgium, Switzerland, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Singapore, South Africa, Turkey, Greece, Argentina, Cape Verde, Brazil, and New Zealand.
Andes Virus — Argentina and Chile (2026)
Argentina has reported 101 confirmed Andes virus hantavirus cases in Patagonia (Bariloche and Neuquén regions) since June 2025, with 32 deaths (case fatality rate ~31%). This is the highest caseload since 2018. Chile has reported 39 confirmed cases in the Aysén region with 13 deaths (CFR 33%).
HFRS in Ukraine Conflict Zones (2026)
Ukraine's eastern conflict zones have reported elevated hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) cases. The Donbas front zone has 38 confirmed and 22 suspected cases with 4 deaths. Zaporizhzhia has 21 confirmed cases. Rodent overpopulation in trenches and destroyed sanitation infrastructure are driving transmission.
HFRS in China and Russia (2026)
China's Shaanxi province has reported approximately 850 HFRS cases (Hantaan/Seoul virus) as part of the country's endemic burden. Russia's Ural and West Siberia regions have reported approximately 420 HFRS cases (Puumala/Dobrava virus).
About Hantavirus
Hantaviruses are RNA viruses transmitted primarily through contact with infected rodent droppings, urine, or saliva. Andes virus is unique as the only hantavirus capable of person-to-person transmission. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) caused by Andes or Sin Nombre virus has a case fatality rate of 25–40%. There is no specific antiviral treatment and no approved vaccine. Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) caused by Old World hantaviruses has lower mortality (0.1–15% depending on strain).
Data Sources
All data is sourced from: WHO Disease Outbreak Notices (DON-600), ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Reports, CDC NNDSS hantavirus surveillance, Argentina Ministerio de Salud, Chile MINSAL, Ukraine MoH, Rospotrebnadzor, China CDC, PAHO, MSF field reports, and virological.org preprints.