Hantavirus cluster linked to cruise ship travel
WHO has reported a cluster of severe respiratory illness linked to a cruise ship that departed Ushuaia, Argentina, on 1 April 2026 and travelled through remote South Atlantic locations. Cases included confirmed and suspected hantavirus infection, with deaths reported: https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2026-DON599
Although serology, sequencing and metagenomics studies are still ongoing, Andes virus, a species of hantavirus found in parts of South America, appears to be involved in confirmed cases. The illness pattern includes fever, gastrointestinal symptoms and, in some cases, progression to pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome and shock. Andes-virus disease is rare; annual cases are usually limited and geographically focal.
WHO currently assesses the risk to the global population as low and advises against travel or trade restrictions based on the information available. Similarly, other public health authorities, such as the ECDC, consider the risk of spread from this cruise ship outbreak to the general population to be very low: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/hantavirus-associated-cluster-illness-cruise-ship-ecdc-assessment-and
Is it safe to fly?
On current evidence, routine commercial air travel remains safe. WHO describes hantavirus infection as primarily acquired through contact with the urine, faeces or saliva of infected rodents, or contaminated surfaces. Although limited person-to-person transmission has been reported with Andes virus, this has occurred mainly in close and prolonged contact settings; it is not comparable to the way influenza or COVID-19 spread during routine travel, for example.
Crews should continue to use onboard illness procedures – see IATA guidelines for cabin crew when managing a suspected case of communicable disease on board: https://www.iata.org/contentassets/f1163430bba94512a583eb6d6b24aa56/health-guidelines-cabin-crew.pdf
Transmission from people without symptoms is not considered a significant driver of risk based on current evidence. The main concern is close or prolonged contact with a symptomatic suspected or confirmed case. Exposed but well individuals should follow public health advice and monitor for symptoms for 45 days.
Close or prolonged contact in general means direct physical contact, caregiving, sharing accommodation, exposure to body fluids or respiratory secretions, or extended very-close-range (e.g., face-to-face) contact with a symptomatic suspected or confirmed case.
In the specific case of the current hantavirus cluster, relevant exposure includes recent travel on the affected cruise ship, close contact with a suspected or confirmed case, or recent exposure to rodents or rodent-contaminated environments in areas where hantavirus is known to occur. Being on a commercial flight, in an airport, or in casual contact with travellers is not, by itself, considered relevant exposure.
Clinical and public health considerations
There is no specific approved antiviral treatment for hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome; management is supportive and early transfer to emergency care is important for severe cases. Diagnosis may involve serology or RT-PCR. Suspected cases should be promptly isolated and assessed. Standard precautions apply to all patients.
Key public health points: vigilance for exposed symptomatic travellers, early medical referral, and support for contact tracing when requested by public health authorities.
Bottom line
This is a serious but specific cruise ship travel-linked event. The current WHO assessment is that the global risk is low. Investigations are ongoing, but current evidence supports the conclusion that routine commercial air travel remains safe.
Dr Rui Pombal
IATA Medical Advisor