Hantaviruses are viruses transmitted mainly by wild rodents, which cause severe syndromes in humans. In the context of the current outbreak involving the Andes virus on board the cruise ship MV Hondius, the Institut Pasteur (Paris) is at the forefront of the response. The National Reference Centre (CNR) for Hantaviruses is based at the Institut Pasteur, which receives samples from people living in French exhibiting symptoms for analysis. In this news article, we provide an update on the disease, its modes of transmission, the risks involved and prevention recommendations.
** This text was translated using an AI-powered translation tool **
Hantaviruses comprise a large number of viruses whose epidemiological and clinical characteristics vary depending on the region of the world. Transmitted primarily through the inhalation of aerosols contaminated by excretions or secretions from infected wild rodents, they are responsible in humans for two distinct types of syndromes: hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, with a case fatality rate ranging from less than 1% to 12%, or a severe cardiopulmonary syndrome, mainly associated with New World hantaviruses, with a case fatality rate that can reach 30 to 60%. To date, no specific treatment or licensed vaccine is available against these infections.
HANTAVIRUS REMINDER – DISEASE and RECOMMENDATIONS (in French)
A hantavirus outbreak aboard the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius
On May 4, 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued an alert regarding a possible hantavirus outbreak aboard the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius, sailing from Ushuaia (Argentina) to Cape Verde. On May 6, viral sequencing carried out by South African health authorities identified an Andes-type strain — the only hantavirus among the 38 known strains for which human-to-human transmission has been documented, although this mode of transmission remains marginal compared to exposure to infected rodents. On May 12, 2026, the WHO reported 11 cases worldwide: 7 confirmed cases, 1 suspected case, 3 other individuals who unfortunately died, as well as several hundred contact cases identified.
Disembarkation of passengers in the Canary Islands, followed by repatriation of individuals, including five to France
From May 10, 2026 onwards, the disembarkation of passengers and crew members began at the port of Tenerife (Canary Islands): 116 people representing 23 nationalities were evacuated within 48 hours, according to Spanish authorities. Five passengers of French nationality returned to France by plane (a private jet) and were hospitalized in quarantine at Bichat Hospital (Paris).
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The French health authorities (Direction Générale de la Santé) has issued a message (in French) to all doctors and pharmacists. Guidelines on the care of people -who were on board the ship- upon their arrival in France, and on the management of their contacts, have been drawn up in consultation with national and international experts. |
A French person with symptoms; analyses carried out at the Institut Pasteur
Two cruise passengers, one American and one French national, tested positive. The French passenger, who developed symptoms during the flight, tested positive for the Andes virus. She is currently (May 12, 2026) being monitored in intensive care at a Parisian hospital (Bichat). The diagnosis was made at the Institut Pasteur (Paris) by the Emergency Biological Intervention Unit (Cellule d’intervention biologique d’urgence or CIBU, in French) in coordination with the French National Reference Centre for Hantaviruses (page in French).
Ongoing epidemiological investigations and low risk
Epidemiological investigations are currently underway among passengers, crew members and individuals transferred outside the ship, in order to better understand the circumstances of this episode and to precisely assess the risk of human-to-human transmission. The WHO maintains at this stage that the overall risk to public health remains low, and is in no way comparable to the situation observed during the Covid-19 pandemic. The French National Reference Centre for Hantaviruses -under the responsibility of the Institut Pasteur (Paris)- is fully mobilized in the virological and epidemiological monitoring of this episode, in close coordination with national and international health authorities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Andes Hantavirus and the outbreak aboard the MV Hondius
1. What is the Andes hantavirus and why is it being monitored?
The Andes hantavirus is a viral species circulating primarily in South America. It is under particularly close surveillance because, unlike other known hantaviruses, it is the only one for which human-to-human transmission has been documented. It causes a severe cardiopulmonary syndrome, a serious form of the disease with a case fatality rate that can reach 30 to 60%
2. How is this virus transmitted?
The primary way of transmission is through the inhalation of aerosols (fine airborne particles) contaminated by the excretions (urine, faeces) or saliva of infected wild rodents. In the specific case of the Andes virus, human-to-human transmission is possible through very close contact (living in confined spaces, sexual intercourse) or with healthcare workers, mainly during the initial symptomatic phase.
3. What are the symptoms of cardiopulmonary syndrome?
After an average incubation period of two weeks (which can range from 1 to 6 weeks), the disease manifests abruptly with respiratory and cardiac failure.
4. Is there a vaccine or specific treatment?
To date, no licensed vaccine or specific antiviral treatment is available. Management is essentially symptomatic (treatment of symptoms in a hospital setting). The use of plasma containing antibodies from recovered patients has shown encouraging results in reducing the risk of death from the Andes virus, but this still needs to be confirmed by clinical trials.
5. Is the risk of a pandemic comparable to that of Covid-19?
No. The WHO considers the overall risk to public health to remain low. Human-to-human transmission of the Andes hantavirus remains marginal compared to transmission via rodents, and the situation is not considered, in the current circumstances and within the limits of current knowledge, comparable to the Covid-19 pandemic.
6. What are the recommendations for travellers or people at risk in areas where the virus circulates in wildlife?
Prevention is based on avoiding contact with rodents and their droppings. It is advised to:
- Wear a mask (FFP2 type) when handling wood or cleaning enclosed premises that may have harboured rodents.
- Ventilate and spray with water before cleaning suspected areas to avoid raising contaminated dust.
- Carry out rodent control in homes and protect food supplies.
HANTAVIRUS REMINDER (FULL CNR PAGE, in French)
