What is the hantavirus outbreak in 2026?

In 2026, a significant hantavirus outbreak linked to the polar expedition cruise ship MV Hondius was confirmed. At least 9 passengers contracted Andes virus during a shore excursion near Ushuaia, Argentina. The outbreak spread to 20 countries as passengers returned home. Argentina also reported record Andes virus cases (101 confirmed, CFR ~31%) and Ukraine recorded elevated HFRS cases in conflict zones.

How many people have died from hantavirus in 2026?

As of May 2026: the MV Hondius cluster has 3 confirmed deaths among 9 infected passengers (CFR ~33%). Argentina reported 32 deaths from 101 Andes virus cases. Chile reported 13 deaths from 39 cases. Ukraine conflict zones recorded 7 deaths from HFRS. Globally across all hantavirus types, the 2026 death toll exceeds 80 confirmed fatalities since 1 May 2026.

What is the MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak?

The MV Hondius is a polar expedition cruise ship. In April 2026, passengers contracted Andes virus during shore excursions in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. The ship docked in Tenerife on 10 May 2026 and passengers disembarked on 11 May. Cases were subsequently identified in 20 countries including the Netherlands, USA, UK, Germany and Australia. The WHO issued Disease Outbreak Notice DON-600 on 12 May 2026.

Can hantavirus spread from person to person?

Most hantavirus strains (including Sin Nombre virus and HFRS viruses) do NOT spread person-to-person and are only transmitted through contact with infected rodent droppings or urine. However, Andes virus — the strain involved in the 2026 MV Hondius outbreak — is the only known hantavirus capable of person-to-person transmission. This makes Andes virus outbreaks particularly dangerous and requires strict isolation protocols.

What is the death rate (CFR) of hantavirus in 2026?

The case fatality rate (CFR) for Andes virus hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) in 2026 is approximately 30–33%. This is higher than the historical average of 22–35%. For comparison: Sin Nombre virus (USA) has a historical CFR of ~38%, while HFRS strains in Europe (Puumala/Dobrava) have much lower CFRs of 0.1–5%.

Where is hantavirus spreading in 2026?

In 2026, hantavirus is active in multiple regions: (1) South America — Andes virus is endemic and elevated in Argentina (Patagonia/Bariloche, 101 cases) and Chile (Aysén, 39 cases). (2) Global travel cluster — MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak has reached 20 countries. (3) Ukraine — HFRS cases elevated in conflict zones (Donbas, Zaporizhzhia). (4) Asia — China reports ~850 HFRS cases in Shaanxi. (5) Russia — ~420 HFRS cases in Ural/Siberia region.

What are the symptoms of hantavirus?

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) caused by Andes or Sin Nombre virus begins with flu-like symptoms: fever, fatigue, muscle aches, headache. After 4–10 days, respiratory symptoms develop rapidly — cough, shortness of breath, and fluid in the lungs. Without immediate intensive care, HPS can be fatal within hours. There is no specific antiviral treatment; management is supportive ICU care. Early symptoms are easily confused with influenza.

Is there a hantavirus vaccine?

As of 2026, there is no approved hantavirus vaccine for humans. Several experimental vaccines are in development. Prevention relies on avoiding contact with rodents and their droppings, using PPE in endemic areas, and rodent-proofing homes and workspaces. If you visited areas endemic for hantavirus and develop fever with respiratory symptoms, seek emergency care immediately.

How is this hantavirus data verified?

All case data on this tracker is sourced from official health authorities: WHO Disease Outbreak Notices (DON), ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Reports, CDC NNDSS surveillance data, Argentina Ministry of Health bulletins, Chile MINSAL reports, Ukraine MoH data, and peer-reviewed sources including virological.org. Data is updated in real time as official reports are published.

Hantavirus Outbreak Tracker 2026 — Live Map, Cases & Deaths

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.