Hantavirus cases in Spanje

Country note

Case 1 (8 May): South African woman in Alicante PCR-positive after exposure to a deceased Dutch passenger; self-isolating with mild symptoms. Case 2 (12 May): Spanish male passenger in isolation at a Madrid hospital, asymptomatic; PCR-positive on arrival screening — confirmed 12 May.

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. Spanje 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