Andes Virus Outbreak on a Cruise Ship: Frequently Asked Questions

Andes virus is a type of hantavirus that can cause severe respiratory disease in people. It is not a new virus and is normally found in areas of South America. Hantavirus disease surveillance in the United States began in 1993 during an outbreak of severe respiratory illness in the Four Corners region – the area where Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah meet. From 1993 to 2023, a total of 890 cases of hantavirus disease were reported in the United States.

CDC staff are among the world's foremost hantavirus experts, with decades of experience responding to and controlling outbreaks. For example, CDC worked on the 2018 Andes virus outbreak in Delaware. CDC has conducted field investigations, laboratory diagnostics, and case identification to identify sources of infection, limit transmission, provide public health guidance, and educate communities about prevention

Early symptoms of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) caused by Andes virus can include:

• Fatigue

• Fever

• Muscle aches, especially in large muscle groups like the thighs, hips, back, and sometimes shoulders

About half of all patients with HPS also experience:

• Headaches

• Dizziness

• Chills

• Abdominal problems, like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain

Signs and symptoms of Andes virus appear between 4 to 42 days after exposure to the virus. Typically, people are only infectious (able to transmit the virus to others) while they have symptoms.

Andes virus can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), which affects the lungs. HPS can be deadly: 38% of people who develop respiratory symptoms may die from the disease.

Only people who have symptoms and a known exposure history should be tested for Andes virus. CDC and a few states are able to test specimens for Andes virus.

There is no specific treatment for hantavirus infection. Patients with Andes virus receive supportive care, including rest, hydration, and treatment of symptoms.

Although the Andes virus is the only type of hantavirus that is known to spread person-to-person, it does not spread easily. Person-to-person spread is usually limited to people who have close contact with a person with symptoms. Close contact includes

• Prolonged direct physical contact
• Prolonged time spent in close or enclosed spaces
• Exposure to the infected person's saliva, respiratory secretions, or other body fluids (e.g., kissing, sharing utensils, handling contaminated bedding)

Typically, hantavirus is spread by rodent.

This outbreak is not like the COVID-19 pandemic and the risk to the American public is extremely low. Andes virus does not spread easily from person-to-person like a respiratory virus like COVID-19. The risk of a pandemic caused by this outbreak and the overall risk to the American public and travelers remains extremely low. The Andes virus is the only type of hantavirus that is known to spread person-to-person. This spread is usually limited to people who have close contact with a person with symptoms. Close contact includes

• Prolonged direct physical contact
• Prolonged time spent in close or enclosed spaces
• Exposure to the infected person's saliva, respiratory secretions, or other body fluids (e.g., kissing, sharing utensils, handling contaminated bedding)

If you think you had contact with a person with Andes virus and are experiencing symptoms, contact a medical professional immediately.

As of May 8, 2026, WHO has reported eight cases (six confirmed and two suspected), including three deaths. Investigations are ongoing to assess the exposure risk of all Americans passengers on the cruise ship or who may have been exposed to an infected cruise ship passenger on an aircraft.

HHS's Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response's RESPTCs provide highly specialized, long-term care for people infected with or suspected of having high-consequence infectious diseases like hantavirus. University of Nebraska Medical Center was selected as the U.S. entry point due to its extensive expertise in handling special pathogens. It is one of 13 within the National Special Pathogen System. Should additional capabilities be needed, the federal government has access to all 13 RESPTCs across the National Special Pathogen System.

CDC, in coordination with state and federal partners, has identified the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit as an appropriate location for assessing returning travelers and coordinating how and where they will be monitored for a 42-day period. Additionally, to ensure each facility has enough space to assess and treat all returning passengers, two passengers are being assessed at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. Like Nebraska, Emory University Hospital has a high containment facility, which is a state-of-the-art facility that provides a secure environment for research and treatment of infectious diseases.

No. The cruise ship passengers are being assessed and monitored. The incubation period for Andes virus can be up to 42 days, meaning some passengers may not show symptoms right away.

The countdown to the 42-day monitoring period for the cruise ship passengers began on May 10 when they departed the cruise ship.

As part of its contact investigation process, CDC sent contact information for U.S. residents who previously disembarked the cruise ship to the state or local health departments or residence. State and local health departments are monitoring the health of these returned passengers. CDC also has developed guidance for public health departments specifically about the management of passengers returning from this cruise ship and has distributed this guidance to partners. This guidance is publicly available at Andes Virus Public Health Investigation - VSPB Interim Guidance and Exposure Assessment Questionnaire).

Only people who have symptoms and a known exposure to Andes virus are tested. The overall risk to the American public and travelers remains extremely low. If you think you had contact with a person with Andes virus and are experiencing symptoms, contact a medical professional or your state or local health department immediately.

The overall risk to the American public and travelers remains extremely low. If you think you had contact with a person with Andes virus and are experiencing symptoms, contact a medical professional or your state or local health department immediately.