News
Why the Hantavirus Outbreak Is Not a New Pandemic (posted May 28, 2026)By Adam Behnke, BCPH Communications Specialist | May 2026
Seeing headlines about a deadly viral outbreak on a cruise ship is bound to cause concern. For many, it harkened back to early 2020, when the nation became swept up in the life-altering course of the novel coronavirus. Could the U.S. succumb to a pandemic again, just six years after the height of COVID-19?
Worrying is a natural human tendency, a mechanism intended to safeguard our health and happiness. Worry can easily become fear when information is limited, contradictory, or presented in a way to intentionally manipulate someone (the latter is called ‘malinformation’).
The discourse about a hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean has caused a lot of worry, and probably fear, in some people. Hantavirus is a scary virus, and it shouldn’t ever be treated lightly. However, it is different from COVID-19 in several important ways. The intention of this May 2026 edition of the Healthy Herald is to explore those differences and hopefully provide some peace of mind to people who are anxious about another virus recently dominating the news cycle.
What is hantavirus?
Hantaviruses are a family of viruses which can cause serious illnesses and death. They cause diseases like hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). Hantavirus is spread mainly by rodents (like rats and mice), when someone is exposed to their urine, droppings, or saliva. In rare cases, hantavirus is spread to a person through a bite or scratch.
What type of hantavirus broke out on the cruise ship?
A deadly outbreak of the Andes virus on the M/V Hondius cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean was reported on May 2. This type of hantavirus is found in the Americas and causes hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). Andes vires is a public health concern because it can have a high fatality rate, up to 50% in some cases, and is the only hantavirus with strong evidence of spreading directly from person to person. Symptoms often begin with fever and muscle aches but can quickly progress to life-threatening lung and breathing problems. Three people among the 11 cases from the cruise ship have died. Other passengers have been brought to high containment facilities that provide a secure environment for treating infectious diseases, should more cases develop. The World Health Organization has identified a 42-day period of potential incubation. All of the M/V Hondius’ passengers and crew have been evacuated, so the ship is sailing back to the Netherlands for cleaning and disinfection.
How do we know Andes virus can spread person-to-person?
We have recent evidence that this type of hantavirus spreads among people. A 2018 outbreak in Argentina was caused by an Andes virus strain with a high capacity for sustained human-to-human spread. The outbreak was controlled through good quarantine measures.
Genetic sequencing of virus samples from patients in an outbreak revealed identical sequences in case clusters. This indicates the virus was passed between people rather than from separate rodent exposures. Studies using hamsters have also shown that the virus is highly transmissible through direct contact.
How do we treat Andes virus?
There are no effective vaccines or antiviral drugs for direct treatment of the Andes virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say patients should rest, hydrate, and get treatment for their specific symptoms.
Signs and symptoms of infection appear 4 to 42 days after exposure.
Early symptoms can look like flu and include:
- Headache
- Fever
- Muscle ache/back pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Cough
- Chest pain
- Loss of appetite
- Difficulty breathing
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) can cause breathing difficulties that may need intubation. Intubation is when a tube is put down the patient's mouth into their lungs to help them get oxygen.
Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) can disrupt kidney function. Patients with HFRS may need dialysis to remove toxins and maintain a good balance of fluids in the body.
Without direct treatment available, why is a hantavirus pandemic considered very unlikely?
The World Health Organization continues to categorize the risk to the general public as low. Other trusted health experts agree. Is a hantavirus pandemic possible? Yes, but it is far from probable. It isn’t like COVID-19 for a few key reasons:
- This isn’t a new virus. Andes hantavirus has been on the radar since the 1990s. This means we know how it spreads, how it acts, and where it’s located. All of that knowledge is different from the beginning times of the novel coronavirus.
- Andes hantavirus outbreaks in the past involved close-contact settings, such as caring for a sick person or sleeping in the same bed. There is some research suggesting spread through more casual contact, but all prior outbreaks were successfully contained. During this May 2026 outbreak, all cases are linked to close contact.
- The Andes virus does not have a history of rapid mutation, which helps a great deal with containment. The WHO says initial samples in this outbreak are nearly identical to the hantavirus eight years ago in Argentina.
“At this time, the hantavirus strain connected to the cruise outbreak is different from the strains associated with rodents in Wisconsin, and there is no indication of a similar risk here,” said Anna Nick, Brown County Public Health Officer/Administrator.
How do we prevent becoming infected with hantavirus?
People should avoid contact with rodent urine, droppings, saliva, and nesting materials. If mice or rats are in or around your home, it's important to clean up after them safely.
Do not vacuum or sweep rodent droppings!
Diseases are mainly spread from rodents to people when they when they breathe in contaminated air. Don't vacuum or sweep rodent urine, droppings, or nesting materials. This can cause tiny droplets containing viruses to get into the air.
Diseases are mainly spread from rodents to people when they when they breathe in contaminated air. Don't vacuum or sweep rodent urine, droppings, or nesting materials. This can cause tiny droplets containing viruses to get into the air.
Clean up rodent urine and droppings
- Step 1: Put on rubber or plastic gloves.
- Step 2: Spray urine and droppings with bleach solution or an EPA-registered disinfectant until very wet. Let it soak for 5 minutes or according to instructions on the disinfectant label.
- Step 3: Use paper towels to wipe up the urine or droppings and cleaning product.
- Step 4: Throw the paper towels in a covered garbage can that is regularly emptied.
- Step 5: Mop or sponge the area with a disinfectant. Clean all hard surfaces including floors, countertops, cabinets, and drawers. Follow instructions below to clean and disinfect other types of surfaces.
- Step 6: Wash gloved hands with soap and water or a disinfectant before removing gloves.
- Step 7: Wash hands with soap and warm water after removing gloves. Use a waterless alcohol-based hand rub when soap is not available, and hands are not visibly soiled.
Clean up dead rodents or nests
- Step 1: Wear rubber or plastic gloves.
- Step 2: Spray the dead rodent, nest, and surrounding area with a disinfectant. Let it soak for 5 minutes or according to instructions on the disinfectant label.
- Step 3: Place the dead rodent or nesting materials in a plastic bag along with any used traps. Follow the steps below if you plan to reuse the trap.
- Step 4: Tie the ends of the bag together in a knot to seal the bag. Place the full bag in a second plastic bag. seal the second bag by tying the ends together in a knot.
- Step 5: Throw the bag into a covered garbage can that is regularly emptied. Alternatively, contact your state health department for information on other ways to throw away dead rodents.
- Step 6: Wash gloved hands with soap and water or a disinfectant before removing gloves.
- Step 7: Wash hands with soap and warm water after removing gloves. Use a waterless alcohol-based hand rub when soap is not available and hands are not visibly soiled.
Pet rodents, like pet rats, aren't safe for families with kids under 5, pregnant women, or people with weak immune systems. They face a higher risk of serious illness.
“It is important to see a doctor immediately if you have had contact with rodents or their environment and become sick with symptoms of hantavirus,” said Nick. “Treating the symptoms as they develop can be very beneficial.”
Final Thoughts
The risk of hantavirus to YOU remains extremely low. Unlike COVID-19, health authorities have systems in place to address and contain this rare disease. You don’t need to cancel trips (a conclusion this author is thankful for as he prepares for a cruise of his own in the coming days!). And it bears repeating: This is NOT another COVID-19. The most important thing a person can do is share reputable and verified information when fears about this virus—or any virus—starts to spread like wildfire online and by word-of-mouth. Enjoy your summer, stay safe, and remember that good health decisions start with good health information.
Stay Healthy, Brown County!
Resources
Martínez, Valeria Paula et al. “Person-to-Person Transmission of Andes Virus.” Emerging Infectious Diseases 11 (2005): 1848 - 1853.
Chiang, Cheng-Feng et al. “Endocytic Pathways Used by Andes Virus to Enter Primary Human Lung Endothelial Cells.” PLoS ONE 11 (2016)
Chiang, Cheng-Feng et al. “Endocytic Pathways Used by Andes Virus to Enter Primary Human Lung Endothelial Cells.” PLoS ONE 11 (2016)
Coelho, Rocío María et al. “Virological characterization of a new isolated strain of Andes virus involved in the recent person-to-person transmission outbreak reported in Argentina.” PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 19 (2025)
Hantavirus: Current Situation | Hantavirus | CDC
Hantavirus Prevention | Hantavirus | CDC
How to Clean Up After Rodents | Healthy Pets, Healthy People | CDC
Hantavirus update - by Katelyn Jetelina