The Connecticut Department of Public Health is closely monitoring the hantavirus outbreak that was first reported on May 2, 2026, aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean. State Epidemiologists reported that the risk to Connecticut residents is extremely low and the Department of Public Health was not aware of any Connecticut residents being aboard this cruise ship or being exposed to illnesses associated with this outbreak. See the Connecticut Department of Public Health’s weblink here for more details: https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/dph/infectious-diseases-branch/alerts/hantavirus-outbreak-memo-may-11-2026.pdf
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is working with state and local public health departments to monitor the health of passengers who have returned to the United States. https://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/situation-summary/index.html
What is Hantavirus?
Hantaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause serious illness and death. These viruses are spread mainly by rodents, such as mice and rats, especially when people are exposed to rodent urine, droppings, and saliva. The type of hantavirus implicated in this outbreak is the Andes virus. There is no specific treatment at this time: https://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/about/index.html
What are the Symptoms?
Hantaviruses can cause two types of disease: hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) or hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). The Andes virus and those found in the United States primarily cause HPS. Symptoms include:
and other symptoms may include:
Four to 10 days after the initial phase of illness, the later symptoms of HPS appear. These symptoms include coughing and shortness of breath. Patients might experience tightness in the chest as the lungs fill with fluid.
How Can Connecticut Residents Minimize Their Risk?
Historically, Connecticut has only had one reported case of hantavirus, which occurred in 2014, and the risk of being exposed is low. However, public health officials recommend the following precautions: https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/dph/infectious-diseases-branch/alerts/hantavirus-outbreak-memo-may-11-2026.pdf
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
The latest resources about this outbreak and the Andes virus can be found by clicking on the following links:
Questions about hantavirus and this outbreak can be directed to the Connecticut Epidemiology and Emerging Infections Program at 860-509-7994
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SOURCES: Connecticut Department of Public Health; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; World Health Organization
PREPARED BY: 211/jm
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: May2026