Agency official reports eight hantavirus cases, three deaths; WHO says risk low

An agency official said eight cases of hantavirus, including three deaths, have been reported in an incident linked to a passenger on a ship and identified the causative agent as the Andes virus, a species the official described as found in Latin America and capable of limited human-to-human transmission.

The official, who did not provide a name or state an affiliation, said WHO (World Health Organization) is aware of reports of other people with symptoms who may have had contact with one of the passengers and that investigators are in close contact with relevant authorities. "So far, eight cases have been reported, including three deaths," the official said, adding, "WHO assesses the public health risk as low."

The official identified the pathogen by name: "The species of hantavirus involved in this case is the Andes virus," and added that "which is found in Latin America and is the only species known to be capable of limited transmission between humans." The statement did not include additional clinical details, laboratory confirmation timelines, the ship's location, or the jurisdictions being contacted; those details were not specified in the briefing.

On response priorities, the official said: "Our priorities are to ensure the affected patients receive care, that the remaining passengers on the ship are kept safe, and treated with dignity, and to prevent any further spread of the virus." The official also said the agency is "in close contact with the relevant authorities" to follow up on possible contacts and symptomatic people.

No formal investigation timeline, list of affected locations, or names of the authorities contacted were provided in the statement. Health officials said they are monitoring contacts and cases; further details were not specified at the time of the briefing.