Andes virus — the only hantavirus strain that can spread between people — identified as culprit on cruise ship 07.05.2026

Laboratory tests have confirmed that the Andes virus, the only known hantavirus strain capable of human-to-human transmission, is responsible for infections in eight individuals, including three confirmed and five suspected cases, aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Three deaths have occurred among those affected. Health authorities, including the World Health Organization (WHO), initially suspected the Andes virus due to its unique transmissibility, prompting immediate isolation protocols for suspected cases. The Centre for Emerging Viral Diseases of the Geneva University Hospital confirmed the diagnosis in a patient treated in Zurich, while South Africa's National Institute for Communicable Diseases also detected the virus in other clinical samples. While less transmissible than viruses like COVID-19 or influenza, vigilance and efficient isolation remain crucial to limit further spread.















