Hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship prompts India monitoring three deaths and five confirmed cases

Andes strain found with limited spread among passengers

India’s Union Health Ministry is monitoring a hantavirus outbreak aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius after three deaths and five confirmed infections. So far, there are no reported cases on Indian soil, and national surveillance systems are active. The virus is identified as the Andes strain, which shows limited human-to-human transmission, while WHO rates the overall public health risk as low.