No country has banned travel because of the 2026 hantavirus outbreak, but several governments have issued health notices for Argentina and Chile.
Here’s where active advisories stand and what travellers should do before booking.
What Triggered the 2026 Hantavirus Notices
On 2 May 2026, the World Health Organization was notified of severe respiratory illness on the MV Hondius cruise ship.
The ship departed Ushuaia, Argentina on 1 April 2026, sailing through Antarctica, South Georgia and Saint Helena before disembarking passengers in Tenerife.
Laboratory tests confirmed Andes virus, a hantavirus endemic to Argentina and Chile and the only strain known to spread person-to-person.
As of 26 May 2026, 13 cases have been reported, including 11 confirmed and two probable cases, with three deaths. Former passengers and crew have returned to their home countries, and additional cases may still be identified because of the long incubation period.
Countries with Active Hantavirus Notices
No major government has imposed an entry ban, flight restriction or “do not travel” advisory linked to the outbreak. The notices in place are health-information updates, not movement restrictions.
| Country / Agency | Notice | What It Means for Travellers |
|---|---|---|
| United States (CDC) | Level 1 Travel Health Notice for Argentina & Chile | Exercise normal precautions; risk to most travellers is extremely low |
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | Health page update for Argentina | Awareness note added; no travel restriction in place |
| Australia (Smartraveller) | Health information for Argentina | Take standard precautions; avoid rodents and rural cabins |
| European Union (ECDC) | Threat Assessment Brief | Risk to general EU population assessed as very low |
| World Health Organization | Global risk: low | Advises against any travel or trade restrictions |
Current official guidance reviewed here mirrors WHO guidance: monitor symptoms after travel to affected areas, but no movement restrictions apply.
Where the Risk Actually Sits
Travel notices flag a real geographic reality. Hantaviruses are endemic in specific regions, and the outbreak has not changed that map — it has only sharpened awareness of it.
Argentina
Argentina recorded 106 confirmed hantavirus cases in the 2025/26 season, well above the previous year. Cases remain concentrated in the Centro and NOA regions.
- Buenos Aires and central provinces: The Centro region now accounts for 54% of cases, mainly in Buenos Aires province.
- Patagonia: Risk concentrated in rural cabins and refugios, peaking in autumn when rodents move indoors.
- NOA region: This region has the highest incidence rate, with most cases concentrated in Salta.
Standard urban itineraries to Buenos Aires remain essentially unaffected, as do short visits to Bariloche outside the autumn rodent peak.
Chile
Chile confirmed 39 hantavirus cases by early May 2026 with a 33% fatality rate; deaths have already surpassed the 2025 total.
Risk areas concentrate in southern and central Chile, especially rural cabins in Aysén, Los Lagos and Los RÃos regions. Urban Santiago and gateway cities like Puerto Montt see minimal exposure.
Chile’s health ministry has not introduced entry rules but urges rural accommodation operators to step up rodent-proofing during peak season.
United States
A different strain — Sin Nombre virus — circulates in rural western states including New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and California. Yosemite recorded a notable cluster in 2012.
The US CDC has confirmed no Andes virus cases on American soil from the 2026 outbreak.
For travellers heading into western national parks or rural cabins, the CDC recommends the same rodent-avoidance precautions year-round.
Precautions to Take Before You Travel
Hantavirus is rare among travellers but serious when contracted. The good news: the exposure pattern is narrow and largely avoidable.
- Choose accommodation carefully: Hotels in cities like Buenos Aires or Santiago pose virtually no risk. The danger sits in poorly ventilated rural cabins with rodent activity.
- Pick managed lodges in Patagonia: Prefer well-reviewed hotels in Bariloche or Ushuaia over isolated cabins, and ask operators about rodent control.
- Avoid rodent contact: Do not touch live or dead rodents, droppings, nests or burrows during hikes, camping or rural stays.
- Never dry-sweep rural spaces: Dust from droppings can carry the virus. Wet-wipe surfaces with disinfectant before settling in.
- Secure food and gear: Store food in sealed containers and keep backpacks zipped to deter rodent activity overnight.
- Know the symptoms: Fever, muscle aches, headache and fatigue appear 1 to 8 weeks after exposure. Severe breathing difficulty can follow within days.
- Seek care immediately: Tell doctors about recent travel to affected areas. There is no vaccine or antiviral — early hospital care saves lives.
Should You Cancel a Cruise or South America Trip?
Public health bodies have not advised cancelling travel. The risk for typical itineraries — city stays, guided tours, hotel-based holidays — remains very low.
For Antarctic cruises out of Ushuaia, the outbreak has prompted some operators to tighten cabin hygiene and pre-boarding health screening. Check directly with your cruise line.
If you booked a remote-cabin or backcountry-camping trip in Patagonia and feel uneasy, contact your operator about rescheduling or switching to a hotel-based itinerary.
Travel insurance generally does not cover cancellation for a health notice that falls short of a formal “do not travel” advisory — read your policy before assuming a refund.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a travel ban to Argentina or Chile because of hantavirus?
No. As of May 2026, no government has imposed a travel ban or “do not travel” advisory on either country. The CDC, FCDO, Smartraveller, ECDC and WHO notices reviewed here do not impose travel bans.
Can hantavirus spread on a plane?
Casual contact on aircraft is not considered a transmission risk. Andes virus requires close, prolonged contact for person-to-person spread, which is unusual outside household or care settings.
Is there a vaccine for hantavirus?
No vaccine and no specific antiviral treatment are available. Prevention relies on avoiding rodent exposure. Early hospital care significantly improves survival.
Should I postpone an Antarctic cruise?
There is no official advice to postpone. Investigators still consider pre-boarding exposure a working hypothesis, but the outbreak origin has not been confirmed. Check directly with your cruise line for current hygiene and screening measures.
Sources
- World Health Organization — Disease Outbreak News
- US CDC — Andes Virus Situation Summary
- CDC Health Alert Network — Multi-country Hantavirus Cluster
- ECDC — Threat Assessment Brief
- UK NaTHNaC TravelHealthPro — Outbreak Updates
- Smartraveller Australia — Argentina
- US State Department — Argentina Travel Advisory
- US State Department — Chile Travel Advisory
- ECDC — Andes hantavirus outbreak in cruise ship
- Argentina Ministry of Health — BEN week 19 update
- Emol / EFE — Chile hantavirus 2026 figures
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
