In 2018-2019, the Andes virus hantavirus spread person-to-person in Argentina. Eleven people died — but it was stopped. Analysis of that outbreak shows the current one can also be stopped.
With memories of the COVID pandemic still fresh in many people's minds, it's understandable that communities are worried about hantavirus spreading internationally.
"I know you are worried," wrote Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), in a letter to the people of Tenerife, Spain, on May 9, 2026.
The cruise ship MV Hondius — on which hantavirus spread, killed three people and infected others from April to May — was about to dock at Tenerife's Granadilla Port.
From there, passengers and crew (a total 147 people) were to be repatriated to their home countries, including Germany, France and Australia.
