This article concerns an ongoing outbreak and will be updated regularly. Information is accurate as of Tuesday 5 May 2026.
What we know so far about hantavirus cases on the Dutch cruise shipThe UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is monitoring and providing public health advice regarding an outbreak of hantavirus linked to a Dutch cruise ship. As of Tuesday 5 May, 6 individuals have become unwell, 2 of whom have been confirmed as having hantavirus. One of the confirmed cases is a British national currently receiving treatment in Johannesburg, South Africa. Sadly, 3 deaths have been reported in connection with the outbreak.
The ship arrived in waters off Cape Verde on 3 May, with a number of British nationals on board. UKHSA is working closely with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the World Health Organization (WHO), the UK Devolved Administrations and international health partners to support the response. WHO are publishing detailed updates on their website.
What is hantavirus?Hantavirus is actually a group of viruses carried by rodents such as mice and rats, transmitted by their droppings and urine. Hantaviruses are present throughout the world. They can be found in some areas of Europe, Africa and Asia. Where they are present, they can cause a range of diseases from mild, flu-like illness to severe respiratory illness.
How do you catch hantavirus?As hantaviruses are carried by rodents, infections in humans tend to occur in places where people and rodents coexist. This is most commonly in rural, agricultural settings. The viruses can also sometimes be found in cleaning sheds, barns and holiday homes where rodents might have nested. In the UK we occasionally see cases of one strain of hantavirus (Seoul hantavirus) associated with pet rats.
How do hantaviruses spread?Most hantaviruses do not spread between humans, although person-to-person transmission has happened with the Andes virus strain in rare cases. People usually become infected by breathing in air contaminated with virus particles from rodent urine, droppings, or saliva. The virus can also enter the body through cuts, the eyes or very rarely, a rodent bite. For the strains where there is person-to-person transmission, it is through very close contact.
The particular hantavirus that is involved in the outbreak on the Dutch cruise ship has not yet been confirmed. Investigations are ongoing, and it has not yet been possible to confirm whether or not this outbreak has been caused by Andes hantavirus which does transmit between humans.
What are the symptoms?Symptoms of hantavirus infection can include fever, extreme fatigue, muscle aches, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, or shortness of breath. In some cases, people develop severe breathing difficulties requiring hospital care. Symptoms usually appear between 1 to 4 weeks after being exposed to the virus, but there are reports of symptoms occurring up to 8 weeks after exposure.
How is the virus treated?There is currently no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for hantavirus infections. Treatment is supportive and based on symptoms, such as hospital care and respiratory support.
What is UKHSA's role in the outbreak?UKHSA is actively monitoring the situation and working with the WHO, who are co-ordinating the response; FCDO, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), and international partners to provide technical support and advice, including helping people who have been in contact with those who have been unwell.
We are supporting the UK’s Overseas Territories in this outbreak and will continue to provide updates as the situation develops.
Should I be worried?Although hantavirus is a serious infection, the risk to the wider UK population is very low. Only Seoul hantavirus - which does not transmit person to person - has ever been identified in the UK.
Hantavirus is not spread through everyday social contact like walking in public spaces, shops, workplaces, or schools. In the rare instances where a person has caught hantavirus from another person (rather than from a rodent), they have had close and prolonged contact with the person who has been infected with hantavirus.
No additional precautions are necessary for the public.
What should I do if I think I may have been exposed?It is highly unlikely that you will have been exposed to this virus. Continue to monitor the GOV.UK website for further updates.
seen at 18:38, 5 May in UK Health Security Agency.