Global Study Launched After Andes Virus Cruise Ship Outbreak

Researchers will use a standardized international protocol designed to ensure that data collected across participating countries can be compared and analyzed consistently.

A major international research effort has been launched following the recent Andes virus (ANDV) outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship, bringing together scientists and health institutions from 21 countries to better understand the disease and strengthen future outbreak responses.

The initiative, known as NAVIS, will track people exposed to the virus over time to gather critical information about how the disease spreads, how long symptoms take to appear, how the immune system responds, and why some patients develop more severe illness than others. Health experts say the project demonstrates how pre-established research networks can be activated quickly during public health emergencies, allowing valuable scientific investigations to begin while outbreaks are still unfolding.

Study Aims to Improve Future Treatments and Vaccines

Researchers will use a standardized international protocol designed to ensure that data collected across participating countries can be compared and analyzed consistently. The study emerged after an emergency scientific consultation coordinated through the UK Health Security Agency-led Hantavirus Collaborative Open Research Consortium. The consultation brought together more than 1,600 experts from over 130 countries to identify urgent research priorities and coordinate scientific activities linked to the outbreak. By gathering harmonized data from multiple countries, the NAVIS project helps to fill important knowledge gaps about Andes virus. Scientists hope the findings will support the development of improved diagnostic tests, treatments and future vaccines. The initiative is being coordinated with support from ANRS Emerging Infectious Diseases through the European Union-funded BE READY programme, which focuses on improving global preparedness for future epidemics and pandemics.

Prepared Research Systems Seen as Essential

Health leaders involved in the project say one of the most important lessons from recent outbreaks is that research systems need to be ready before emergencies occur. Participating countries include Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States and several others. Leading public health agencies, universities, and research institutions are also contributing to the effort. Officials noted that disease outbreaks often provide only a short window of opportunity to collect valuable scientific evidence. Delays in organizing studies can result in lost opportunities to better understand emerging pathogens and improve future responses.

The World Health Organization highlighted NAVIS as an example of outbreak research preparedness in action under its Research and Development Blueprint framework. The programme supports the creation of research networks that can be activated rapidly when new health threats emerge. Experts involved in the project said future outbreak responses should not begin by building research infrastructure from scratch. Instead, they should focus on activating systems, partnerships and protocols that are already in place, allowing evidence generation to begin immediately and helping public health authorities make faster, better-informed decisions.