DURABLE experts present new insights into hantavirus outbreak responseWP11 meeting – Focus on Vector-Borne Diseases
Three presentations highlighted the latest DURABLE WP11 meeting, showcasing how international collaboration contributed to understanding and responding to the recent Andes hantavirus outbreak linked to an expedition cruise ship. This outbreak also gave the opportunity to learn from what you need to do when there is an international outbreak. Outbreaks in that sence are a way to test the readiness to future outbreaks.
Bas Oude Munnink (Erasmus MC) opened the session with an update on the genomic investigation of the hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship between April and May 2026.
Next, Kim Heimsch (Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin) presented the results of a study that evaluated more than 400 samples and highlighted the value of established laboratory networks in strengthening diagnostic preparedness and rapid outbreak response.
Finally, Janko van Beek (RIVM) shared the findings of an extensive environmental investigation conducted on board the cruise ship. He demonstrated how environmental sampling and sequencing can provide valuable insights into transmission pathways during outbreak investigations.
Together, the three presentations illustrated how DURABLE combines expertise in genomics, diagnostics and environmental investigations to strengthen international outbreak preparedness and response.
