The 2026 Andes hantavirus outbreak: a renewed call for global zoonotic preparedness

The 2026 cluster of Andes virus (ANDV) infection linked to the expedition cruise ship MV Hondius resulted in 13 cases (12 laboratory-confirmed and one probable), including three deaths, and required the monitoring of more than 650 contacts across more than 30 countries and territories before the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak over on 2 July 2026. Available evidence suggests a single land-based zoonotic exposure before embarkation, followed by limited person-to-person transmission on board. Although WHO assessed the global risk as low throughout, the event exposed recurring weaknesses in zoonotic preparedness, including delayed clinical recognition in a remote setting, maritime outbreak protocols oriented toward other pathogens, and the burden of multinational contact tracing for an infection with an incubation period of up to 6 weeks. This editorial examines these lessons in light of earlier ANDV outbreaks and argues for closer integration of One Health surveillance, maritime health security, and the International Health Regulations in preparing for rare but high-consequence zoonoses.