CDC Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory: 2026 Multi-country Hantavirus Cluster Linked to Cruise Ship
This message is being sent to the health alert network, travel health network, local public health officers, Tribal health directors, local public health department nurses, local public health department staff, and infection preventionists.
On May 8, 2026, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory about the cluster of hantavirus disease cases caused by infection with Andes virus, and to summarize CDC’s recommendations for U.S. public health departments and clinicians about hantavirus disease case identification, testing, and biosafety considerations in clinical laboratories.
Background
As of May 8, 2026, WHO (World Health Organization) reported eight cases (six confirmed and two probable), including three deaths. As of May 12, 2026, three more cases were reported to WHO, resulting in a total of 11 cases (nine confirmed and two probable). Investigations are ongoing to assess exposure risk of all Americans passengers on the cruise ship or who may have been exposed to an infected cruise ship passenger on an aircraft.
CDC is working with partners (federal government, state and local, and international) on safely repatriating American passengers from the cruise ship to a facility in Nebraska with specialized medical capabilities. On May 7, 2026, CDC sent a team to meet the cruise ship in the Canary Islands, Spain following travel from Cape Verde. The team is prepared to assess exposure risk among U.S. passengers and determine appropriate monitoring measures.
CDC is also coordinating with international partners to align public health guidance and has already issued health guidance to affected Americans via the State Department. The risk to the public's health in the United States is considered extremely low at this time. As a precaution, CDC is working to increase awareness of the outbreak among travelers, public health agencies, laboratories, and health care professionals nationwide.
Wisconsin updates
There were no passengers from Wisconsin on the cruise ship and currently Wisconsin has no known cases. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is prepared to support local health departments if any travelers arrive in Wisconsin and need to be monitored. This alert is to increase awareness and remind medical professionals to use the Andes virus precaution recommendations if they suspect a patient has Andes virus. If CDC provides additional information, DHS will provide additional guidance.
Please see the HAN Health Advisory for further details.
|
