An outbreak of a rare rodent-borne illness, hantavirus, has occurred on a cruise ship, resulting in three passenger deaths and more illnesses. Despite this, global health officials emphasize that the risk to the general public remains low due to the virus’s difficulty in spreading between people.
Understanding Hantavirus Transmission
Hantaviruses are present worldwide and primarily spread through contact with rodents. It’s uncommon for the virus to transfer between people. In severe cases, hantavirus can lead to life-threatening conditions such as a deadly lung infection or kidney failure.
Maria Van Kerkhove, director of epidemic and pandemic preparedness at the World Health Organization (WHO), asserts that hantavirus is a serious disease but not easily transmissible. Most individuals will not be exposed in their lifetime.
The virus can spread through contaminated aerosol vapor, often when people inhale particles from rodent droppings. The Andes virus, involved in the current outbreak, may rarely spread between people, prompting health officials to take precautions for passengers returning home.
Comparing to Previous Virus Outbreaks
COVID-19, unlike hantavirus, spreads easily and can transmit even from asymptomatic individuals. This characteristic made it challenging to contain. Hantavirus, while more difficult to transmit, can be more dangerous once contracted.
Investigating the Source of the Outbreak
Ongoing investigations are attempting to trace the hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship. In Argentina, officials suspect it might originate from a birdwatching trip in Ushuaia, though the virus has not been previously detected in the area. Climate change is thought to be increasing hantavirus cases in Argentina.
Symptoms and Risks of Hantavirus
Hantavirus symptoms resemble the flu initially, with fever, chills, and muscle aches. The illness can advance rapidly, causing symptoms like chest tightness due to fluid in the lungs or bleeding, fever, and kidney failure in the case of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome.
Mortality rates vary; hantavirus pulmonary syndrome has a fatality rate of about 35%, whereas hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome has a lower death rate, ranging from 1% to 15%.
Global Occurrence and Historical Context
Globally, hantavirus is relatively rare. In 2025, eight countries in the Americas reported 229 cases and 59 deaths. In the U.S., outbreaks have largely occurred in Western states, tracing back to a 1993 outbreak in the Four Corners region.
The hantavirus family is named after the Hantaan River in Korea, where it was first identified. Despite not easily spreading between people, the Andes virus involved in the current outbreak can do so in rare cases, requiring close contact.
Prevention and Research Efforts
Early medical attention can improve survival chances for hantavirus infections.
There is no specific treatment or cure for hantavirus, yet research continues to seek explanations for the virus’s severity variability and potential treatments. Avoiding rodent exposure, using gloves, and cleaning with bleach are key preventive measures. Public health experts advise against sweeping or vacuuming to prevent aerosolizing virus particles.
Interest in hantavirus research has grown, aligning with recent funding priorities to enhance understanding and combat the disease.
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