American Who Tested Positive for Hantavirus Discloses Prior Symptoms

Dr. Stephen Kornfeld, an oncologist, says he is the American who tested positive for hantavirus.

Port vessels accompany the MV Hondius as it departs the Granadilla Port after all passengers were evacuated in Tenerife, part of the Canary Islands, Spain, on May 11, 2026. Chris McGrath/Getty Images

The American who tested positive for hantavirus said on May 12 that in April he suffered from a number of symptoms, including chills.

“Early in April, maybe the 10th or so, a number of us on board came down with what felt like a flu-like illness,” Dr. Stephen Kornfield, an oncologist based in Oregon, said during an appearance on CNN. “I had three days of night sweats, a lot of chills, some mild respiratory, and a lot of fatigue.”