Cruise Ship Outbreak of Hantavirus; China: No Host or Infected Cases Within Borders
A hantavirus outbreak with potential human-to-human transmission has occurred on the cruise ship "Andes." The China CDC stated that there are no natural hosts or human infection cases of the associated Andes virus within China. The WHO warned that 5 confirmed, 3 suspected cases, and 3 deaths have been reported, with more cases possible due to the long incubation period.
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- 📰 Published: May 8, 2026 at 18:41
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Taipei, 8th) The hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship "Andes," with potential human-to-human transmission, has drawn global attention. The China CDC stated today that the Andes virus involved in this outbreak has no natural host distribution within China, nor have any human infection cases been reported.
The China CDC made this statement today in an article introducing hantavirus, in response to the cruise ship's hantavirus outbreak.
The China CDC indicated that hantavirus pulmonary syndrome caused by the Andes virus (ANDV) in this cruise ship outbreak has had individual human-to-human transmission cases reported, especially in specific confined spaces where people live together for extended periods. Limited transmission may occur through close contact or inhalation of pathogens expelled by patients via aerosols.
However, the article emphasized that hantavirus infection generally does not cause human-to-human transmission, and ordinary social contact in public places will not spread the virus.
The China CDC pointed out that hantavirus infection has a global distribution, with an estimated 200,000 cases occurring worldwide annually. In recent years, the incidence of "hantavirus hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome" (HFRS) in China has shown a downward trend. In the Americas, 200 to 300 cases are reported annually, with an overall upward trend. Regarding the Andes virus involved in this outbreak, there is no natural host distribution in China, nor have human infection cases been reported.
Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare's Centers for Disease Control noted that the primary host for the Andes virus in southern Chile and Argentina is the long-tailed pygmy rice rat (Oligoryzomys longicaudatus).
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated on the 7th that the cruise ship has reported 5 confirmed cases and 3 suspected cases, with 3 deaths. He added, "Considering that the incubation period for the Andes virus strain can be up to 6 weeks, more cases may emerge in the future."
CCTV News reported that the Chinese Embassy in Cape Verde issued a statement on the evening of the 5th, local time, stating that there were no Chinese citizens on board the ship. (Editors: Yang Shengru / Tang Shengyang) 1150508
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(Central News Agency, Taipei, 8th) The hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship "Andes," with potential human-to-human transmission, has drawn global attention. The China CDC stated today that the Andes virus involved in this outbreak has no natural host distribution within China, nor have any human infection cases been reported.
The China CDC made this statement today in an article introducing hantavirus, in response to the cruise ship's hantavirus outbreak.
The China CDC indicated that hantavirus pulmonary syndrome caused by the Andes virus (ANDV) in this cruise ship outbreak has had individual human-to-human transmission cases reported, especially in specific confined spaces where people live together for extended periods. Limited transmission may occur through close contact or inhalation of pathogens expelled by patients via aerosols.
However, the article emphasized that hantavirus infection generally does not cause human-to-human transmission, and ordinary social contact in public places will not spread the virus.
The China CDC pointed out that hantavirus infection has a global distribution, with an estimated 200,000 cases occurring worldwide annually. In recent years, the incidence of "hantavirus hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome" (HFRS) in China has shown a downward trend. In the Americas, 200 to 300 cases are reported annually, with an overall upward trend. Regarding the Andes virus involved in this outbreak, there is no natural host distribution in China, nor have human infection cases been reported.
Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare's Centers for Disease Control noted that the primary host for the Andes virus in southern Chile and Argentina is the long-tailed pygmy rice rat (Oligoryzomys longicaudatus).
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated on the 7th that the cruise ship has reported 5 confirmed cases and 3 suspected cases, with 3 deaths. He added, "Considering that the incubation period for the Andes virus strain can be up to 6 weeks, more cases may emerge in the future."
CCTV News reported that the Chinese Embassy in Cape Verde issued a statement on the evening of the 5th, local time, stating that there were no Chinese citizens on board the ship. (Editors: Yang Shengru / Tang Shengyang) 1150508
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship of yours is the power to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to grasp the latest news instantly.
The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.