May 2, 2026, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) the Hantavirus was reported to be spreading on a Dutch cruise line. Two passengers, an American man and a French woman tested positive for Hantavirus with an additional case of a passenger with mild symptoms of Andes virus. A flight from Tererife, Spain was sent to pick up the passengers and send them to the National Quarantine Unit in Nebraska. They are now set to be quarantined for 42 days while being monitored by voluntary nurses and doctors.

The Hantavirus was previously discovered in 1993. The virus can be spread from rodents to humans through inhaling droppings or touching the saliva from the infected rodents, as well as ingesting feces or being bitten. In rare cases, it’s known as the Andes virus and can also be spread from human-to-human. Originating from Europe and Asia it may affect people’s kidneys with a mortality rate of 15%. The numbers rose to 40% of fatal cases in 2026, with the new Hantavirus starting to cluster in cases of respiratory illness.

Health officials speculate the origins of the virus as passengers being exposed to the infection during off-ship activities in Argentina and Chile, as there were no reports of rodent activity onboard the ship. Symptoms are similar to the flu, like fatigue, fever, dizziness and headaches, but then progress into intense inflammation which leads to heart failure. There is currently no known treatment for the Hantavirus.

The captain of the cruise line paid his respects to the affected passengers, as he said, “thoughts are with the ones that are no longer with us,” said Jan Dobrogowski, Master Mariner. The risks of the Hantavirus turning into a worldwide pandemic are very low. People are still encouraged to engage in sanitary practices and to protect themselves, as well as cruises initiating guidelines across the U.S.