News

On 14 May 2026, hantavirus and hantavirus infection were added to the schedule of notifiable diseases in Ireland. The inclusion of hantavirus does not affect the risk assessment regarding the threat of infection to the Irish population which remains very low.

Background
In May 2026, a cluster of hantavirus cases was identified on board the cruise ship MV Hondius. As of 20 May 2026, three deaths have been reported among passengers and crew, nine cases of hantavirus infection have been laboratory confirmed and other possible cases are being assessed. Because of remaining uncertainties and the long incubation period, it is possible there may be additional cases in former passengers and crew in the coming weeks.

Irish citizens travelling on board the MV Hondius returned to Ireland on 13 May 2026 following a successful repatriation through collaborative work between HSE, Department of Health, Department of Defence, and international partners in EU and WHO.

Notifiable disease
On 14 May 2026, the Minister for Health signed the Infectious Diseases (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (S.I. No. 209 of 2026).

As a result of these amendments to the Infectious Diseases regulations:

• Hantavirus is designated a notifiable disease and is included on the statutory list of diseases that must be notified. Upon becoming aware of a case, registered medical practitioners and laboratory directors are required to notify a Medical Officer of Health/Director of Public Health, who in turn informs the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) in accordance with national surveillance requirements.
• Hantavirus is included amongst the list of infectious diseases for which statutory public health powers apply under the Health Act 1947. Where a person is considered a probable source of infection, they may, as a necessary safeguard against the spread of disease, be detained and isolated in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
• Hantavirus is included among the list of infectious diseases requiring immediate preliminary notification (i.e. immediate notification by telephone).

The surveillance of hantavirus cases will be integrated into the existing national Computerised Infectious Disease Reporting (CIDR) system, the information system used to manage the surveillance and control of infectious diseases in Ireland, both at regional and national level. In the event of confirmed, probable or suspected hantavirus cases being notified in Ireland, these will be reported on the National Notifiable Disease Hub.

For further guidance on infectious disease notification requirements, clinicians and laboratories should consult the HPSC website.