Hantavirus cases linked to cruise ship now 13 — WHO

Cases of Hantavirus linked to a cruise ship outbreak have risen to 13, with three fatalities reported, according to the World Health Organization. The WHO said the situation remains stable as affected passengers receive care while others continue quarantine following the disembarkation of the MV Hondius.

Olivia Le Poidevin/Reuters

27 May 2026 at 07:22:50

Hantavirus cases linked to cruise ship now 13 — WHO

A test tube labelled "Hantavirus positive" label and World Health Organization logo are seen in this illustration taken May 7, 2026.

Dado Ruvic/Illustration/Reuters

The number of cases of Hantavirus linked to a cruise ship at the centre of an outbreak has increased to 13, the head of the World Health Organization said on Wednesday.

"Spain reported a new case among the passengers who are in quarantine, which brings the total number of cases to 13," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a post on X.

Among them three died, but there have been no new deaths since May 2, Ghebreyesus said.

"The situation remains stable. Passengers who got sick are receiving needed care, while others remain in quarantine," Ghebreyesus said.

In the last two weeks all remaining passengers, crew members and medical staff disembarked the MV Hondius luxury liner at the centre of the outbreak.

Hantaviruses are rodent-borne viruses that can infect people and cause illness. The WHO estimates there are 10,000 to 100,000 human cases globally each year, with severity varying by strain.

-Olivia Le Poidevin/Reuters