On 2 May 2026, a cluster of passengers with severe respiratory illness aboard a cruise ship was reported to the World Health Organization. The ship is carrying 147 passengers and crew.
Key points
- On 2 May 2026, a cluster of passengers with severe respiratory illness aboard a cruise ship was reported to the World Health Organization.
- The ship is carrying 147 passengers and crew.
- On 2 May 2026, WHO received notification from the National International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) Focal Point of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (hereafter referred to as the United Kingdom) regarding a cluster of severe acute respiratory illness, including two deaths and one critically ill passenger, aboard a Dutch-flagged cruise ship.
- On 2 May 2026, laboratory testing conducted in South Africa confirmed hantavirus infection in one patient who is critically ill and in intensive care.
Why it matters
Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), also known as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), is a zoonotic, viral respiratory disease caused by hantaviruses of the genus Orthohantavirus, family Hantaviridae, order Bunyavirales. More than 20 viral species have been identified within this genus.
Public guidance
- WHO advises that States Parties involved in this event continue efforts in detection, investigation, reporting, case management, infection control, and public health management on board, including ship sanitation measures, in close coordination with the conveyance operator, to prevent and control infections caused by hantaviruses.
- In the context of the current outbreak, passengers and crew members should practice frequent hand hygiene, remain vigilant of Hantavirus symptoms and undertake active symptom monitoring for 45 days.
- Crew must ensure adequate environmental cleaning (avoiding dry sweeping) and ventilation in the ship.