The World Health Organization said Friday that more hantavirus cases may be reported in the days ahead, but stressed the finding does not signal a widening outbreak. The assessment came as passengers and crew from the cruise ship MV Hondius continue health monitoring and quarantine in their home countries.
The WHO Director-General, in a media briefing on May 15, said a total of 10 cases — including three deaths — have been reported to the agency. Eight of those cases have been laboratory-confirmed as Andes virus infection, and two are considered probable. No additional deaths have been recorded since May 2.
“Because of the long incubation period of up to six weeks, more cases may be reported in coming days as passengers return to their countries,” the director-general said. He added, “This does not mean the outbreak is expanding; it shows that the control measures are working, that laboratory testing is ongoing, and that people are being cared for with support from their governments.”
The outbreak was first reported to WHO by the United Kingdom on May 2 under the International Health Regulations. Since then, the agency has coordinated with roughly 30 governments, the ship operator, and local authorities to evacuate passengers and arrange medical care.
More than 120 people who were on the MV Hondius have been evacuated and are now being cared for in their home nations or are in quarantine in host countries while traveling home, according to WHO. The vessel, with its captain and 26 crew members still on board, is expected to dock in the Netherlands on Monday. No symptomatic people remain on the ship as of Friday.
Hantaviruses are a group of viruses carried by rodents. People typically become infected through contact with infected rodents or their urine, droppings, or saliva. The Andes virus, the strain identified in this cluster, is the only hantavirus known to spread between humans through close and prolonged contact.
WHO has repeated its assessment that the risk to the global population from this event remains low. The agency said it is continuing to coordinate the global response by tracking confirmed and suspected cases, investigating how the outbreak began, and supporting research into treatments and vaccines.
Health authorities in affected countries are conducting active monitoring, laboratory testing, and quarantine for returning passengers. WHO said the identification of additional cases in the coming days would reflect the success of those efforts, not a loss of control.
The incubation period for Andes virus can range from four days to six weeks. This means people exposed weeks ago may only now begin to show symptoms. Public health officials say early detection and isolation remain the most effective tools to limit further transmission.
No vaccine or specific antiviral treatment exists for hantavirus. Clinical care focuses on supportive measures, including oxygen therapy and intensive care for severe respiratory cases.