Hantaviruses are various viruses that infect rodents and are occasionally transmitted to humans. Infection in people can cause severe illness and often death. However, the disease varies with the type of virus and geographical location. In the Americas, the infection leads to Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome (HCPS). In Europe and Asia the Hantavirus has been known to cause Haemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS), which affects kidneys and blood vessels. 

On May 2, 2026 there was a deadly Hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean. The type of Hantavirus responsible for this outbreak is the Andes virus, which can lead to HPS, aka Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome. According to the Center for Disease Control, the passengers affected are in high containment facilities to treat the infectious disease. In addition, it is harder to cause an outbreak because it spreads through transmission of rodent saliva or droppings. There has been no reported human to human transmission.