The World Health Organization published an updated Disease Outbreak News assessment on 8 May 2026 regarding the hantavirus cluster linked to the MV Hondius expedition vessel.
Key figures as of 8 May 2026: - Total reported cases: 8 - Laboratory-confirmed hantavirus cases: 6 - Probable cases: 2 - Deaths: 3
WHO states that all six laboratory-confirmed cases were identified as Andes virus infections. The event remains under international investigation and contact tracing continues across several countries.
This update replaces the earlier 4 May and 7 May figures used in the initial HantaWorld feed. The public health risk to the global population is assessed by WHO as low, while the risk for passengers and crew on the ship is considered moderate.