Infectious Disease · Public Health · 4 h ago
Andes virus outbreak highlights European diagnostic preparedness gaps
A narrative review examines the 2026 cruise-ship outbreak of Andes virus and Europe’s capacity to detect and respond to the infection. The review reports 13 outbreak-linked cases, including three deaths, and describes remaining gaps in diagnostic preparedness.
- Thirteen outbreak-linked cases and three deaths were reported.
- Andes virus can sustain person-to-person transmission.
- Diagnosis combines clinical, epidemiological and laboratory evidence.
- European preparedness had gaps requiring reference-laboratory support.
A narrative review synthesised literature on human Andes virus infection, transmission, outbreak investigations, countermeasures and diagnostics, alongside updates from WHO and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. It focused on an outbreak linked to the cruise ship m/v Hondius: by 2 July 2026, 13 cases and three deaths had been reported. The vessel departed Argentina in April and later travelled to Europe to evacuate passengers.
The authors note that Andes virus is unusual among hantaviruses because it can sustain person-to-person transmission. Diagnosis depends on combining clinical and epidemiological information with molecular detection of viral RNA or serological evidence. European diagnostic preparedness was generally established during the outbreak, but gaps remained and prompted support from the EU Public Health Reference Laboratories for Emerging, Rodent-borne and Zoonotic Viral Pathogens.
The review highlights the need for coordination among clinical services, public health authorities and reference laboratories to support surveillance, early detection, risk assessment and diagnostic readiness. As a narrative review drawing partly on official outbreak updates, it does not provide comparative estimates of diagnostic performance or evaluate a specific intervention.
In practice
For patients with compatible illness and relevant exposure, the review supports assessing clinical and epidemiological information alongside laboratory evidence, using molecular detection of viral RNA or serology. Andes virus can sustain person-to-person transmission, making prompt recognition and coordination with public health and reference laboratories relevant beyond endemic areas. This is a narrative review of an outbreak and preparedness response, not a comparative evaluation of tests or a clinical guideline; it does not establish diagnostic performance or prescribe a particular testing pathway.
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Eurosurveillance: Andes virus reaches Europe: a narrative review on clinical challenges, diagnostic gaps and public health preparedness, 2026 ↗This is an automated AI-condensed summary that has not yet been reviewed by an editor. Always consult the full item at the original source.