The World Health Organization (WHO) issued an international health alert on April 28, 2026, regarding the cluster of hantavirus cases associated with the MV Hondius cruise ship in Antarctica.
According to the official statement, 14 confirmed cases and 2 deaths have been recorded among the ship's passengers and crew. The identified strain is the Andes virus, the only hantavirus strain known for its ability for human-to-human transmission.
Timeline of Events
The first suspected case was detected on April 15, 2026, when a passenger presented severe respiratory symptoms consistent with hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). PCR analyses performed at Ushuaia hospital confirmed the presence of the Andes virus on April 18.
The first death occurred on April 21. A 67-year-old passenger died from acute pulmonary syndrome despite intensive care treatment.
WHO Recommended Measures
The WHO recommends that affected countries: - Strengthen epidemiological surveillance of acute respiratory syndromes - Implement contact tracing over 42 days (twice the maximum incubation period) - Inform travelers about risks associated with Antarctic cruises - Prepare PCR diagnostic capabilities for hantavirus
The WHO does not recommend generalized travel restrictions at this stage but requests increased vigilance from national health authorities.