Hantavirus cases in United States

Country note

Previously-inconclusive case (Dr. Stephen Kornfeld, 69, Bend OR — retired oncologist who voluntarily cared for ill Hondius passengers) confirmed NEGATIVE on retesting at UNMC on 13 May. US total: 0 confirmed cases. On 18 May, CDC issued formal quarantine orders for 2 passengers who sought to leave the National Quarantine Unit at UNMC before the monitoring period ended; all 18 US passengers requested to remain through 31 May (21-day mark). Some passengers described conditions as difficult; legal challenges to the quarantine orders reported as of 22 May (CDC acting under 42 CFR parts 70–71, Public Health Service Act). Contacts monitored across 7 states (AZ, GA, TX, VA, CA, NJ, others). 6 June 2026: The 42-day monitoring period for all 18 American passengers ended. No cases of hantavirus disease were detected; no further public-health follow-up required for US passengers.

Context

The 2026 outbreak is caused by Andes virus (ANDV), the only hantavirus with documented person-to-person transmission. The index event is a cluster aboard the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius. United States cases are either:

• Returning passengers or crew of the MV Hondius
• Household or close-contact cases of returning travellers
• Suspected pre-cruise exposures (rare, currently under investigation)

The country's national focal point reports cases up to WHO and ECDC; we update from those publications.

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Other affected countries