Andes Hantavirus FAQs: What to Know as Quarantined Cruise Passengers Return Home

Five passengers from the MV Hondius cruise ship, quarantined after contracting the Andes hantavirus, were permitted to leave quarantine in Nebraska on Monday, June 1, 2026.¹

These passengers were permitted to leave since they hadn’t tested positive and were asymptomatic; they are still required to remain home for the second half of their 42-day quarantine, set to end June 22, 2026. They were among 18 passengers quarantined in Nebraska, although the World Health Organization reported 11 confirmed cases and 2 probable cases nationally as of May 27, 2026. Despite the rarity of the Andes hantavirus, there is still much to be understood about this particular strain.

Here are some common FAQs about the hantaviruses and the Andes variant.

What is the hantavirus?

The hantaviruses are a group of viruses encompassing various strains indigenous to different regions around the world.² These viruses belong to the Hantaviridae family, and each strain is typically associated with a specific rodent host species. Although the virus is primarily spread through contact with rodent urine, feces, or saliva, only a few strains have been known to infect humans.³

The strains of the virus present in the Americas are known to cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). Early symptoms of HPS can include fatigue, fever, and muscle aches. Those infected are also likely to experience headaches, dizziness, chills, and abdominal problems such as vomiting and diarrhea. Late-stage symptoms can occur between 4 and 10 days after initial infection and can include shortness of breath and tightness in the chest as a result of the lungs filling with fluid.²

The Andes virus is part of this family and has primarily been found in Argentina and Chile, the former of which is believed to be where the current outbreak originated.

“What is unique about this particular strain of hantavirus is that it has been shown to have the ability to spread from person to person in limited situations with very close contact,” Asha Shah, MD, medical director of infectious disease at Stamford Health, said in an interview with The American Journal of Managed Care^®.

The incubation period for this virus is particularly long when compared with other infectious diseases. Shah said the incubation period can be anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks after suspected contact with an infected person, explaining “that’s the period of time that can lapse between being exposed…and exhibiting symptoms of the disease.”

How can you avoid exposure to hantavirus?

Although the risk of infection is relatively low for this disease, preventive measures are still important. Public health officials recommend limiting exposure to rodent droppings, ventilating enclosed spaces properly, and using protective equipment and bleach-based cleaning solutions when disinfecting potentially contaminated areas.²

In addition to protection and cleaning solutions, Shah mentioned that when cleaning, sweeping any rodent droppings is preferred to vacuuming, as the latter poses the risk of aerosolizing the fecal matter.

“You also want to make sure you're closing holes in your house or garage to prevent rodent infestation,” she said. “Specific to travel…I think people should just practice standard infection prevention things to protect themselves from any type of illness, like good hand hygiene.”

How have public health officials and organizations responded to the outbreak?

Global health organizations, in partnership with countries’ health officials, quickly contained those suspected of and confirmed infected with the Andes hantavirus.

“Individuals are being instructed to monitor for signs and symptoms for a long period of time and to limit contact with others in case they were to start exhibiting symptoms, and that's the main containment strategy,” Shah said.

Those released from quarantine are still being monitored for symptoms and to ensure they’re not leaving their homes, breaking protocol.¹

The 4 states to which the 5 passengers returned are New York, California, Oregon, and Arizona, all of whose public health departments agreed to accept returning passengers. No Americans have tested positive for the virus.

References

1. Edwards E, Vespa M. State trooper guards and daily fever checks: Some hantavirus cruise ship passengers go home. NBC News. June 1, 2026. Accessed June 2, 2026. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/hantavirus-cruise-ship-passengers-quarantine-new-york-california-cdc-rcna347843

2. McCrear S. Hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship raises global health and containment concerns. AJMC. May 7, 1026. Accessed June 2, 2026. https://www.ajmc.com/view/hantavirus-outbreak-on-cruise-ship-raises-global-health-and-containment-concerns

3. Hantavirus. World Health Organization. May 6, 2026. Accessed June 2, 2026. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hantavirus