CDC Says Cruise-Ship Andes Virus Outbreak Poses Low Risk to Public

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Saturday that an outbreak of Andes virus among passengers and crew of a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean currently poses an extremely low risk to the American public and to travelers alike, with no U.S. cases linked to the outbreak reported to date.

The Details

In a situation summary published May 8, 2026, the CDC said the outbreak involves passengers and crew aboard a cruise ship currently located in the Atlantic Ocean. The agency's assessment emphasizes that the overall risk to the American public and to travelers remains extremely low, and no U.S. cases tied to the outbreak have been reported. According to a companion FAQ published on the same day, the World Health Organization had reported eight cases connected to the outbreak as of May 8. Among those eight cases, six were confirmed infections and two were suspected cases. The outbreak has included three deaths.

The CDC identifies Andes virus as a type of hantavirus that can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. It is the only hantavirus known to spread from person to person, a mode of transmission that typically occurs through close contact with a sick individual. The agency provided clinical guidance stating that signs and symptoms of Andes-virus-related hantavirus pulmonary syndrome typically appear 4 to 42 days after a person is exposed to the virus, giving a wide window during which illness may develop. Early symptoms can include fever, fatigue, and muscle aches, and the illness can then progress to severe respiratory illness.

The CDC noted that there is no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine currently available for Andes virus. Medical care is supportive, and patients rely on supportive measures because no targeted antiviral therapy exists. The agency stressed that early medical attention is critical for anyone who develops symptoms following potential exposure, because the illness can progress to severe respiratory illness and no targeted antiviral therapy is available.

Context

Andes virus is normally found in parts of South America. The rodents that carry the virus have not been found in the United States, according to the CDC. The agency's current assessment reinforces that the overall risk to the American public and travelers remains extremely low. On May 11, 2026, ABC News aired a segment featuring Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security senior scholar Dr. Amesh Adalja. During the broadcast, Adalja answered viewer questions about the deadly Andes variant of hantavirus and how it spreads. ABC News described Adalja as a senior scholar for the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security and said he explained the Andes variant and its transmission patterns. The segment was presented as an explainer in which Adalja answered viewer questions about the deadly Andes variant and how it spreads.

What's Next

The CDC continues to monitor the outbreak involving the cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean. The agency maintains that the overall risk to the American public and travelers remains extremely low, and no U.S. cases have been reported from the outbreak to date.