Hantavirus Outbreak

Hantavirus infections are relatively uncommon globally. The virus is primarily transmitted through direct contact with the urine, faeces, or saliva of infected rodents. Limited human-to-human transmission, specific to the Andes species, has been reported previously in community settings involving close and prolonged contact.

Currently, ICAO considers the risk to aviation to be low in view of the WHO risk assessment, requests states and aviation stakeholders to adhere to WHO guidance and to assist the public health authorities with contact tracing in aviation. ICAO will continue to monitor the situation with WHO and our partners through the ICAO-WHO Memorandum of Understanding and will issue additional aviation-specific guidance should it be necessary.

ICAO References:

CAPSCA guidance - Does the current Hantavirus outbreak pose a risk to aviation? - NEW

WHO References:

Hantavirus outbreak linked to cruise ship travel, multi-locations (DONs) - NEW
Management of contacts of Andes virus (ANDV) cases from the MV Hondius cruise ship - NEW
WHO Technical note for the disembarkation and onward management of passengers and crew in the context of an Andes virus-associated cluster MV Hondius cruise ship - NEW
Hantavirus Website

CDC References:

Hantavirus - Andes Virus Outbreak on a Cruise Ship 2026 - NEW
Hantavirus Website

ECDC References:

Hantavirus - Andes Virus Outbreak in Cruise Ship 2026 - NEW
Hantavirus Website