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Public Health · Kansas City Region · Live Tracker

Monitoring · No Confirmed KC CasesLast updated: May 14, 2026

Hantavirus in the
Kansas City Region.

Three Kansans are being monitored at the University of Kansas Health System after high-risk contact with an MV Hondius cruise-ship passenger who tested positive for Andes hantavirus. None are symptomatic. KDHE says the public-health risk remains extremely low. This page tracks confirmed cases, primary sources, and what KC residents actually need to know.

Case Timeline →What is hantavirus?
Case TimelineMost recent first · primary-source linked

  1. May 12, 2026

    Kansas (3 individuals)

    Monitored

    Three Kansans under monitoring after high-risk contact with an MV Hondius passenger. Not on the ship; not symptomatic. KDHE coordinating with CDC.

    KDHE Newsflash ↗

  2. May 12, 2026

    Missouri (statewide)

    No Cases

    Missouri DHSS reports no cases and no active monitoring of exposures.

    Missouri DHSS (via KCUR) ↗

  3. May 8, 2026

    United States (federal)

    Advisory

    CDC Health Alert Network advisory: multi-country Andes hantavirus cluster linked to MV Hondius. 8 cases / 3 deaths reported as of advisory date.

    CDC HAN-528 ↗

  4. May 2, 2026

    Global (WHO)

    Advisory

    WHO notified of cruise-ship outbreak. Source ship: MV Hondius, departed Ushuaia, Argentina, April 1, 2026.

    WHO Disease Outbreak News ↗
The Quick Brief

What is hantavirus, and why are we tracking it?

What is it?

Hantaviruses are a family of viruses spread primarily by rodents. In the United States, the most common form is Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), caused by the Sin Nombre virus and carried mainly by the deer mouse, per the CDC.

How is it transmitted?

For the rodent-borne strains found across the U.S., transmission usually happens when virus particles become airborne — for example, during the cleaning of a cabin, shed, or garage where rodents have nested. The CDC notes those strains are not known to spread between people. The Andes strain — the one behind the current MV Hondius outbreak — is the exception: it has documented person-to-person transmission via close, prolonged contact, per CDC HAN-528.

Who's at risk in the KC region?

Per Jackson County Public Health, the Kansas City metro falls outside the regions where rodent-borne hantavirus is most commonly reported. Most U.S. cases come from western and southwestern states. The current Andes-strain situation is travel-linked and not related to local rodent populations.

When should you seek care?

The CDC's standing guidance: if you suspect a hantavirus exposure and develop flu-like symptoms (fever, fatigue, muscle aches), see a physician immediately and mention the potential rodent or contact exposure. Symptoms can appear anywhere from 1 to 8 weeks after a rodent contact (CDC), or 2 to 42 days for the Andes strain. Jackson County Public Health's communicable disease line is (816) 404-9881.

Sources We're TrackingFederal · State · County · Local press
Our Coverage

Articles & Explainers

May 14, 2026· Staged (pending review)

Three Kansans Monitored at Hospital After Contact With Cruise-Ship Hantavirus Case

KDHE says the three are not on the cruise ship, are not symptomatic, and the public-health risk remains 'extremely low.' What hantavirus is — and isn't.