90-Second Read: WHO Health Emergencies EPI-WIN webinar: Hantavirus in focus III: reflections from a Border Health and Point of Entry perspective

The webinar focuses on initial reflections from national public health authorities and border health stakeholders about the Hantavirus multi-country response linked to cruise ship travel and the collaborative work for the border health management of public health events. Thursday, 4 June 2026, 13:00-14:00 (CEST) The complex multi-country response to the Hantavirus outbreak linked to cruise ship travel is an unprecedented test of the global border health system. For this reason, the outbreak has been described as a 'quintessential border health event'.

This public health event has triggered an internationally coordinated multisectoral response involving multiple countries across the globe, the WHO Secretariat, conveyance operators, and partners in the public health, travel, transport, or foreign affairs, to name a few. As of 21 May 2026, a total of 13 cases, including three deaths, have been reported. Public health response efforts continue in all countries involved, including information sharing for international contact tracing purposes through the National IHR Focal Point (NFP) network.

WHO has assessed the risk posed by this event to the global population as low and continues to monitor the epidemiological situation and update the risk assessment as needed.