US health officials are closely monitoring individuals in at least three states following a deadly hantavirus outbreak connected to the MV Hondius cruise ship ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The alert comes after the World Health Organization (WHO) reported infections linked to the vessel, where three fatalities along with several confirmed and suspected cases have been recorded since April.
The outbreak involves the Andes strain of hantavirus, which has led to confirmed or possible infections, evacuations, and monitoring efforts across multiple countries, including Canada, Denmark, Germany, Israel, the Netherlands, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
In the US, authorities are monitoring passengers in Georgia, California, and Arizona who recently returned from the cruise. Officials have stated that none of the individuals being observed have developed symptoms so far.
The cruise ship had departed from Argentina, and the outbreak sparked global contact-tracing operations after some travelers left the vessel before the health situation became fully known. Health agencies in different countries are now working to identify and monitor anyone who may have been exposed.
The situation has raised concerns as the United States prepares to host FIFA World Cup 2026, one of the world’s largest sporting events. While officials say there is currently no evidence of community transmission in the US, the incident has highlighted the risks associated with international travel ahead of the tournament, which is expected to attract millions of visitors.
Hantavirus is generally transmitted through exposure to saliva, urine, or droppings from infected rodents. However, the Andes strain linked to this outbreak is considered more concerning because limited human-to-human transmission has been documented in previous cases.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, although all individuals currently under observation in the United States remain healthy.
Read more: Virus Outbreak Claims 72 Tigers in Thailand
