RRI.CO.ID, Geneva - The World Health Organization fosters global hantavirus research during a briefing on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. WHO said no specific vaccine or proven treatment currently exists for Andes hantavirus.

The briefing discussed the ongoing hantavirus outbreak response and international coordination efforts. Public concerns continue growing over the virus’s deadly nature and long incubation period.

Head of Communications on Emergencies at WHO, Nyka Alexander, acknowledged concerns about the lack of available treatments. She affirmed that the absence of vaccines and treatments remains a major concern during the outbreak response.

“We also, as was raised, are concerned about the fact that there aren't vaccines or treatments,” she said.

She added that WHO will hold expert discussions on antivirals and monoclonal antibodies for hantavirus research. The meetings are part of WHO’s Research and Development Blueprint framework.

She explained that no antiviral or monoclonal antibody treatment has been licensed or proven effective for hantavirus. However, several candidates may still be considered for future scientific studies.

WHO and the UK Health Security Agency will also organize a joint hantavirus research consultation on Friday. Around one thousand researchers are expected to join the international scientific discussion.

The consultation will review transmission, diagnostics, therapeutics, vaccine development, and ongoing epidemiological research. WHO hopes the initiative will help address public concerns and strengthen global preparedness against hantavirus outbreaks.