90-Second Read: Hantavirus in Focus I: what we know and what it means

This webinar will share what is known about Hantavirus, including the global and country perspectives, and what this event means for public health and community protection. In May 2026, WHO was notified of a multi‑country cluster of Hantavirus infections linked to an expedition cruise ship. To provide an up‑to‑date overview of Hantavirus, including the current multi‑country event, and to discuss its implications for public health.

Hantaviruses are rodent‑borne viruses that can cause severe and sometimes fatal disease in humans, primarily through exposure to contaminated rodent excreta. In the Americas, infection can lead to Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome, a serious respiratory illness. As of 13 May, 11 cases, including three deaths, had been reported, associated with Andes virus-a strain capable of limited human‑to‑human transmission through close contact.

WHO is coordinating the international response under the International Health Regulations (2005), including information sharing, contact tracing support, and ongoing risk assessment. The overall risk to the general population is currently considered low, but the event highlights the importance of preparedness, surveillance and clear risk communication.