A rarehantavirus outbreaklinked to a cruise ship raises new health questions andfears about travel safetyahead of the2026 World Cup.Here's what health officials are saying about the global risk amid risinguncertainty around how the virus spreads.
The World Health Organization has confirmedeight hantavirus cases, three of which have died as of Wednesday, May 6, after contracting the Andes strain of the virus, which is known to be transmissible between people. This strain is found in parts of Argentina, where the cruise ship MV Hondius originally departed, according to reports.
On Wednesday, authorities inSwitzerlandalso confirmed another hantavirus case in a man who returned from a trip in South America and traveled on the same cruise ship.
With millions expected to travel internationally in the coming months for the 2026 World Cup, concerns about infectious disease risks — heightened since the COVID‑19 pandemic — are resurfacing.
The WHO has assessed the risk to the global population from this event as low, noting on itswebsite, that it "will continue to monitor the epidemiological situation and update the risk assessment."
What is hantavirus?
Hantaviruses are a group of viruses carried by rodents which can be spread when particles from rodent droppings, urine or saliva become airborne. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes it is rare, the hantavirus can be contagious and spread between people, leading to severe respiratory illness and often leading to death.
There is no specific cure, vaccine or treatment for hantavirus infection, however the CDC reports it is survivable if medical care is sought early.
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Will hantavirus outbreak impact travel for 2026 World Cup?
At this time, the hantavirus outbreak appears confined to the cruise ship and the risk to the general public remains low, according to authorities. However, travelers are encouraged to take precautions, including practicing good hygiene, and avoiding contact with rodents or potentially contaminated environments.
“We understand the concerns sports fans might have when it comes to attending an event with so many others, from the U.S. and from other countries,” Dr. Gregory Sugalski, an Army veteran and chair of emergency medicine at Hackensack University Medical Center,told The New York Post.“But I want to say two words to them: ‘No fear.’
New York and New Jersey infectious disease experts have been prepping for the millions of anticipated World Cup travelers for the past two years, according to reports. With large numbers of foreign visitors comes the threat of infectious or deadly diseases, including tuberculosis, measles, varicella, hepatitis A, typhoid, malaria, SARS, and hantavirus.
“The whole health care system in New York City will be on the alert for ALL of these events,” Dr. Vikramjit Mukherjee, chief of critical care at Big Apple’s Bellevue,told Healthbeat New York. “We’re looking at it like a huge migration event.”
Is hantavirus contagious?
Person-to-person spread is extremely rare, according to the CDC. Hantavirus is primarily transmitted to people from contact with rodents such as rats or mice, expressly when exposed to their urine, droppings and saliva by inhaling the virus particles or touching surfaces contaminated with the rodent waste. In rare cases, it can also be spread through a bite or scratch by a rodent.
What are the symptoms of hantavirus?
Hantaviruses can causetwo syndromes, the most common of which is found in the Western Hemisphere, including the US and causes Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). It is spread by the deer mouse. The other is hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), found mostly in Europe and Asia. Here's the symptoms for both:
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Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) symptoms similar to flu-like symptoms usually start to show in 1-8 weeks after contact with infected rodent with early symptoms including fatigue, fever and muscle aches according tot he CDC. About half of HPS cases also reportedly experience headaches, dizziness, chills and abdominal issues such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. 4-10 days after the initial onset of HPS, more serious symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath or tightness in the chest as the lungs fill with fluid can appear. HPS can be deadly with a reported 38% mortality rate.
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Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS) symptoms usually develop within 1-2 weeks after exposure, albeit in rare cases can also take up to eight weeks to develop. Initial symptoms which begin suddenly include intense headaches, back and abdominal pain, fever/chills, nausea, blurred vision and even flushing of the face, inflammation or redness of the eyes or a rash. Other symptoms that come later include low blood pressure, acute shock, internal bleeding and acute kidney failure. The mortality rate is less than 15%.
According to theCDC, it is difficult to diagnose a person who has been infected less than 72 hours and may require repeat testing after early symptoms start. If you suspect hantavirus disease, see a doctor immediately, noting any potential exposure to rodents.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com:Hantavirus outbreak 2026; is it safe to travel amid the World Cup
