The number of cases of hantavirus linked to a cruise ship at the centre of an outbreak has increased to 13, the head of the World Health Organization says.
"Spain reported a new case among the passengers who are in quarantine, which brings the total number of cases to 13," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a post on X on Wednesday.
Among them three died, but there had been no new deaths since May 2, he said.
"The situation remains stable. Passengers who got sick are receiving needed care, while others remain in quarantine," Ghebreyesus said.
#Hantavirus update:
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) May 27, 2026
- Spain reported a new case among the passengers who are in quarantine, which brings the total number of cases to 13.
- There are no new deaths reported since May 2. The total number of deaths remains three out of 13 reported cases so far.
The situation… pic.twitter.com/rvGvL6jFgl
In the last two weeks all remaining passengers, crew members and medical staff disembarked the MV Hondius luxury liner at the centre of the outbreak.
Hantaviruses are rodent-borne viruses that can infect people and cause illness.
The WHO estimates there are 10,000 to 100,000 human cases globally each year, with severity varying by strain.
Hantaviruses usually spread through contact with infected rodents' urine, droppings or saliva and can be transmitted between people in rare cases.
Incubation can last for one to six weeks before patients start presenting symptoms.
There are currently no approved vaccines or targeted antiviral treatments for hantavirus, and care is largely supportive.
