Questions and answers on the hantavirus outbreak in a cruise ship

Last updated: 9 May 2026

What is hantavirus and the Andes strain?

Hantaviruses are a group of viruses that people usually catch through particles from infected rodents. It can cause serious illness, and the symptoms depend on the type of hantavirus involved. The Andes virus, which is involved in this outbreak, is a hantavirus primarily found in South America that can lead to a severe lung infection called Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, which can worsen quickly and become life-threatening.

How do you catch hantavirus, and how infectious is it?

Hantavirus mainly spreads via inhalation of contaminated particles from the urine, faeces or saliva of infected rodents. Only one strain, Andes – the one involved in this outbreak – can spread between people. However, it only does so in very specific, close contact situations. Hantavirus can be very dangerous for the person who gets sick, but does not pose the same broad outbreak risk as SARS, or COVID‑19.

Can Andes hantavirus spread between people?

Andes hantavirus, which is involved in this outbreak, is found mainly in South America and is the only hantavirus that is known to spread between people. Nevertheless, such transmission is considered rare and typically requires close or prolonged contact with an infected person.

Why is this not considered the next pandemic? 

Unlike viruses such as COVID-19, Andes hantavirus does not spread easily between people. Human-to-human transmission is rare and requires prolonged close contact, often in enclosed settings. In addition, the natural rodent reservoir for the virus is not present in Europe, making sustained spread in the community unlikely.

How many people have been infected in this outbreak?

For the latest figures, check ECDC's page for this outbreak.

How were people infected?

The current hypothesis is that at least one passenger was exposed to Andes virus while spending time in Argentina or Chile, where Andes virus is endemic, before boarding the ship, and may subsequently have transmitted the virus to other passengers onboard. 

Is there a vaccine or specific treatment?

There is no vaccine for hantavirus and treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and supportive care. 

What is the risk to the general public in Europe?

The risk to the general population in Europe is very low. 

The Andes virus does not spread easily between people, and the types of contact needed for transmission are uncommon outside very close personal settings. In addition, the rodents that normally carries this virus do not live in Europe, so ongoing spread through animals is not expected.

Is it likely that the virus spread beyond the cruise?

At least 26 passengers are known to have disembarked in St. Helena and travelled back home or to other destinations. The World Health Organization (WHO) has shared details with the relevant countries, and they are being recommended to contact their local public health teams for advice. Contact tracing is being carried out to ensure follow-up with those who may have been exposed.

Even if transmission of Andes virus were to occur from passengers leaving the ship, the virus does not spread easily between people. It is therefore unlikely that the infection will spread more widely, particularly if authorities act to prevent and control the outbreak. The rodent that carries Andes virus is native to South America and not found in Europe, so it is unlikely the virus would spread to local rodents. 

What is the current situation on board the ship?

According to the ECDC expert on the ship, there are currently no people with symptoms on board. Passengers are wearing masks and the ship is operating at around half capacity, allowing space for social distancing. 

What does ECDC recommend for passengers with symptoms?

Passengers with symptoms should be prioritised for medical assessment and testing upon arrival. Depending on their condition and operational decisions, they may either isolate in Tenerife or be repatriated for medical isolation in their home country. If a test is positive, medical care and isolation measures should continue. If negative, quarantine and monitoring measures may still apply for up to six weeks as a precaution.

What does ECDC recommend for passengers without symptoms?

Passengers without symptoms are currently being considered close contacts as a precautionary measure. They may either remain in isolation in Tenerife or be repatriated for self-quarantine in their home country using specially arranged transport by their respective countries and the European Civil Protection Mechanism and will not use regular commercial flights. If symptoms develop, testing and medical assessment should follow. If no symptoms develop, isolation and monitoring measures are expected to continue for up to six weeks. As the investigation on the ship continues and more information becomes available, how passengers are classified may change. This means that not all passengers will necessarily be considered high risk or need to follow strict (self-)isolation measures when they return to their home countries.

What will happen now that the ship will be allowed to dock in Tenerife?

People who develop symptoms will be assessed quickly and, if needed, evacuated to hospitals that can provide intensive care. Anyone with symptoms will be tested after leaving the ship, but a negative test doesn’t always rule out infection, so follow-up is still important. 

While on board, passengers and crew should be asked to wash hands often, wear masks, keep distance, and monitor themselves for any signs of illness.   Healthcare workers caring for sick passengers should use protective gear to prevent close contact transmission, and stronger precautions are used if procedures could create airborne particles. Passengers and crew who leave the ship should receive clear instructions on what to do and what symptoms to watch for until doctors can confirm whether they are infected. 

ECDC is working with Spanish authorities and the World Health Organization (WHO) to develop protocols for safe disembarkation, repatriation and public health follow-up of passengers and crew leaving the ship.

Will passengers have contact with the local population in the Canary Islands?

No. Passengers will be transferred through specific routes and dedicated vehicles from the port to the airport under strict infection prevention and control measures. There will be no contact with the general population during the operation.

Why are public health authorities concerned about this outbreak?

This outbreak is concerning for the following reasons:

• While humans can usually only get a hantavirus infection from contact with contaminated particles from rodents, this outbreak involves the Andes strain, which can spread between humans, although this happens rarely.
• Infection with Andes virus has a high fatality rate, as it can cause a life-threatening condition called Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome.
• People can spread the virus before they start showing symptoms, and it can take up to two to eight weeks for symptoms to appear. This can make it challenging to control the outbreak.
• There is no treatment to tackle the infection or vaccine for the Andes virus, and treatment focuses on addressing symptoms.

How do I handle misinformation and how do I know what information on the outbreak is accurate? 

When disease outbreaks happen, like the hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship, people may feel worried or scared. There are often many unknowns during an outbreak, and the situation can change quickly. It is natural that people look for answers to their questions and concerns, and may develop their own theories about why an outbreak is happening. 

Along with an outbreak, you will often see a surge of misinformation. Believing in misinformation depends on many factors, such as whether people trust the source or if it fits with their prior knowledge or beliefs. Our information environment, steered by algorithms, also plays a large role in what kind of misinformation and correct information we encounter. 

When it comes to outbreak information, it is always best to consult the websites and social media channels of official verified health authorities in your country, or international ones like ECDC and WHO.