Hantavirus Cases From Cruise Outbreak Rise to 13 Following New Case in Spain WHO Says

The number of hantavirus infections linked to a major cruise ship outbreak has increased to 13 after a new case was confirmed in Spain, according to the World Health Organization. Health officials said the latest patient was already under quarantine when the infection was detected, reducing the immediate risk to the wider public.

The outbreak is connected to the luxury cruise ship MV Hondius, which carried passengers and crew from more than 20 countries during its journey. The ship first became the focus of international concern after several passengers developed severe respiratory symptoms while onboard. Since the outbreak began, three people have died from the virus, although no new deaths have been reported in recent weeks.

According to WHO officials, the situation is currently stable, but health authorities are continuing close monitoring because hantavirus infections can become serious very quickly. The newly confirmed patient in Spain had already been isolated along with other passengers who may have been exposed during the cruise. Medical experts believe the quarantine measures helped prevent further spread of the virus.

The outbreak has attracted global attention because hantavirus infections are relatively rare. Hantaviruses are mainly spread through contact with infected rodents, their urine, saliva, or droppings. However, experts say the Andes strain linked to this outbreak is unusual because it can also spread from person to person in close-contact situations. This has increased concern among international health agencies monitoring the case.

The MV Hondius cruise originally departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, before traveling through several international destinations. Passengers from Europe, North America, and other regions were later evacuated or repatriated to their home countries for quarantine and testing. Health officials across several nations have been working together to trace contacts and monitor exposed travelers.

The WHO has continued to describe the overall global public health risk as low, but authorities remain careful because symptoms can take several weeks to appear. In some cases, infected individuals initially showed only mild symptoms before becoming seriously ill. Experts say early detection and isolation remain the most important tools for controlling the outbreak.

Public health agencies have also advised recent cruise passengers to report symptoms such as fever, breathing difficulty, muscle pain, or extreme fatigue immediately. Hospitals in Spain and several other countries are continuing to monitor people connected to the cruise while investigations into the source of the outbreak remain ongoing.

The outbreak has become one of the most closely watched international health incidents in recent weeks, with global authorities trying to prevent any wider spread of the rare virus.