Live

Hantavirus live updates: CDC classifies outbreak as 'Level 3' emergency response

Level 3 is the lowest level of emergency activation, according to the CDC.

Last Updated: May 7, 2026, 11:09 PM EDT

Global health authorities are working to contain an outbreak of hantavirus aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship.

The total number of confirmed cases associated with the outbreak is increasing, health officials said. To date, three people who were aboard the ship are known to have died of the virus.

More than 100 passengers remain on the ship, and the World Health Organization is monitoring their health. Officials said that the "overall public health risk remains low" but that there may be some person-to-person spread.

Health officials in multiple states say they're monitoring some passengers who have returned to the U.S. after being aboard the ship for potential hantavirus infections.

May 07, 2026, 9:58 PM EDT

Trump on hantavirus: 'It should be fine'

President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters on Thursday evening, said he has been briefed about the hantavirus cases tied to the MV Hondius cruise ship.

"It should be fine. We hope," Trump said.

He indicated his administration would be issuing a "full report" on Friday, but did not provide any further details.

“It's very much -- we hope -- under control. It was the ship, and I think we're going to make a full report about it tomorrow," Trump said. "We have a lot of people, a lot of great people, are studying it."

Asked if Americans should be concerned the virus may spread, Trump said: "I hope not. I mean, I hope not. We’ll do the best we can."

May 07, 2026, 4:21 PM EDT

Congresswoman presses Rubio, CDC for repatriation plan for Americans aboard ship

Rep. Janelle Bynum, D-Ore., sent a letter Thursday to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Acting Director Jay Bhattacharya asking them to create a repatriation plan for the 17 citizens aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius.

According to Bynum, a constituent of hers from Bend, Oregon, is among the Americans aboard the ship. 

"On Thursday, May 7, my office made contact with a constituent from the district I represent who is currently aboard the ship. The information we received about the conditions facing passengers and crew is deeply alarming. These Americans are trapped in a dangerous and deteriorating public health situation, and they deserve more than passive monitoring or delayed coordination,” Bynum wrote.

The congresswoman urged lawmakers to assess the situation and develop a repatriation plan by the end of the day Thursday.

-ABC News' Beatrice Peterson

May 07, 2026, 4:03 PM EDT

Virginia officials monitoring ship passenger who returned to US

Virginia's Department of Health said Thursday that a traveler from their state who was on the MV Hondius returned home in "good health" and is being monitored by public health authorities.

A drone view of the cruise ship MV Hondius, carrying passengers suspected of having cases of hantavirus on board, as it prepares to leave Praia, Cape Verde, May 6, 2026.
Danilson Sequeira/Reuters

"Our understanding is that fewer than 30 U.S. Citizens were on board the ship. A small number (<5) of other potentially exposed Virginians might be identified in the days ahead," the department said.

"The Virginia Department of Health is monitoring this situation closely and has been in active communication with our federal partners at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)," the statement said, adding "generally speaking, we believe the risk to the general public to be low.

Virginia's statement brings the total number of U.S. residents currently under monitoring for hantavirus symptoms to at least seven people across five states, including Arizona, California, Georgia, Texas and Virginia. 

-ABC News' Chris Barry and Youri Benadjaoud

May 07, 2026, 3:56 PM EDT

Spain prepares for 'isolated' evacuations as cruise ship approaches Canary Islands

Virigina Barcones, Spain's head of Emergencies and Civil Protection, provided more details Thursday about its plans for the MV Hondius when it arrives at the Canary Islands Sunday.

"They will arrive at a completely isolated, cordoned-off area. They will board vehicles that are isolated and under guard, and will proceed to a section of the airport that will be completely cordoned off. They will board the aircraft and depart. I am saying this so that the people of the Canary Islands, the men and women living there, can rest assured that there will be absolutely no possibility of contact at any time," she said in a statement.

The port of Granadilla de Abona on the island of Tenerife in Spain's Canary Islands is pictured, May 7, 2026.
Jorge Guerrero/AFP via Getty Images

Barcones added that no one will be allowed to leave the boat unless they are going directly to the airport to return to their home countries.

"The United States has showed its willingness to send a plane to collect its citizens directly. Negotiations with the United Kingdom are also at an advanced stage. During meetings held throughout the day, the U.K. has also expressed its willingness to send a dedicated flight to repatriate its nationals," she said.

-ABC News' William Gretsky

Related Topics

Sponsored Content by Taboola