The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to alert clinicians, public health practitioners, and travelers about a new outbreak of Ebola disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda caused by the Bundibugyo virus (species Orthoebolavirus bundibugyoense). The risk of spread to the United States is considered low at this time. As a precaution, this Health Advisory summarizes CDC recommendations for U.S. health departments, clinical laboratories, and healthcare workers about potential Ebola disease case identification, testing, and biosafety considerations in clinical laboratories.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Update to inform clinicians and health departments about testing available for patients with suspected hantavirus infection to include Andes virus. CDC first issued a Health Advisory (HAN-00528) about this outbreak on May 8, 2026. Hantaviruses are a group of viruses that typically spread to people who come in contact with sylvatic rodents. These viruses can cause severe illness or death in humans. Andes virus, a type of hantavirus endemic in South America, is the only type of hantavirus that is known to spread from person to person. Several other New World hantaviruses are endemic to the United States and are not transmissible from person to person. New World hantaviruses can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a potentially serious disease that can cause damage to the lungs.

On May 2, 2026, an outbreak of Andes virus on a cruise ship was reported to the World Health Organization (WHO). This outbreak has raised the possibility of cases being imported to the United States. As of May 18, no confirmed cases of Andes virus associated with the outbreak on the cruise ship have been reported in the United States. Therefore, the overall risk to the American public is still considered extremely low at this time. CDC and health departments in several states are monitoring the health of U.S. passengers from the ship and U.S. air travel contacts of symptomatic ship passengers who were subsequently confirmed to have Andes virus infection. This Health Update informs clinicians about testing and consultation that are available for Andes virus and other hantaviruses endemic to the United States, South America, and other nations.

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Key Messages

• An outbreak of Andes virus, a known species of hantavirus, has been reported on a cruise ship in the South Atlantic. This outbreak has a extremely low risk of spread or impact to the general public. ​
• As of 8 May, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a total of eight cases, including three deaths. 
• As of May 9, CDC has notified CDPH of three California residents who were passengers on the MV Hondius. One passenger has returned to California, and two are being repatriated to a facility in Nebraska for evaluation before returning to California. 
• In addition, a fourth traveler, not on the ship, but while overseas, became a close contact with a known case. This person has returned to California. 
• CDPH is supporting the local health departments in the two returned travelers’ counties of residence in conducting ongoing public health monitoring.
• Plans for repatriation of the other passengers are still being finalized. CDC is planning to conduct health assessments prior to passengers returning to their homes. CDPH will notify local health departments with resident passengers still aboard.
• Andes virus is the only species of hantavirus with known person to person transmission, and is endemic to South America. The most common hantavirus in North America, Sin Nombre Virus, does not spread person to person. 
• CDPH is in close contact with CDC and the WHO. This is an evolving situation, and information is current as of May 11. New or changing information will be updated as it becomes available.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH), in coordination with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), is monitoring an outbreak of illness caused by Andes virus, a known species of hantavirus, among passengers and crew of the MV Hondius cruise ship. CDPH was notified by CDC that three California residents were among the vessel’s passengers. One of the passengers had already disembarked and returned to California. CDPH is working with the local health department (LHD) where this passenger resides for monitoring. Two California residents remained aboard the vessel until they were able to disembark in Tenerife, Canary Islands and be repatriated to a medical facility in Nebraska. In addition, a fourth traveler, who was not onboard the MV Hondius, was determined to be in close contact with a case from the ship while overseas. As with the returned passenger from the MV Hondius, they are being monitored by their LHD. CDPH will notify California LHDs of any additional returned or repatriated passengers in their jurisdictions when this information becomes available. Currently, CDC and CDPH assess the risk to the general public as extremely low. To date, no Orange County residents have been identified as a contact in this outbreak.

CAHAN: Hantavirus Outbreak Among Passengers on Cruise Ship

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BHS staff, and Judge Tania R. Vallejo, at the West Justice Center in Westminster  celebrated the initial class of three graduates under Prop. 36 for their hard work, perseverance, and willingness to accept support through their recovery journey. Recovery is possible when we work together to support people on their path to healing. The HCA extends our warmest congratulations to all the 49 graduates since Prop. 36 began and wish them continued success in their future endeavors.

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After a local mom was called to meet with her son’s elementary school principal for the fifth time due to anger outbursts, the school contacted OC Links for a mobile crisis response. The Mobile Crisis Team responding helped link the youth to outpatient mental health services. Through participation in the program, her son improved his behavior considerably.

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OC’s first graduate shared, “I’ve never completed a program like this before. I’m proud of myself.” When an individual graduates from the CARE Act program, that milestone represents more than personal success – it reflects the strength of Interagency collaboration and HCA’s shared commitment to addressing behavioral health challenges in our community. Thank you to our partners at the OC Public Defender Office and Telecare.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to inform clinicians and health departments about a new cluster of hantavirus disease cases caused by infection with Andes virus. Hantavirus disease can cause severe illness and can be fatal. Clinicians should be aware of the potential for imported cases, although the risk of broad spread to the United States is considered extremely unlikely at this time. As a precaution, this health advisory summarizes CDC’s recommendations for U.S. public health departments, clinical laboratories, and healthcare workers about hantavirus disease case identification, testing, and biosafety considerations in clinical laboratories.

Advisory: 2026 Multi-country Hantavirus Cluster Linked to Cruise Ship | HAN | CDC