A deadly outbreak of hantavirus on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean has raised public concern that the virus could spiral into another pandemic, similar to COVID-19.
Public health experts say this is “very unlikely” to happen. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states the risk to the global population is “extremely low.”
“It’s very different than COVID,” said Jay Bhattacharya, who leads the CDC and National Institutes of Health. “The way that people get it from person to person is much, much more difficult for that to happen.”
What is hantavirus and how does it spread?
Hantavirus is a rare illness spread through contact with rodent urine, droppings, and saliva. Humans typically catch it when trying to clean infested areas, such as sweeping up rodent droppings, which makes the particles airborne.
Hantavirus is less commonly spread through contact with contaminated surfaces, or from rodent bites or scratches.
The Andes virus, a strain from South America, is the only known hantavirus spread from prolonged close contact with an infected person.
How did it spread on the ship? How many people were infected?
Early testing shows the Andes virus is the strain that infected passengers on the MV Hondius, which departed from Argentina on April 1.
The first cases are believed to have been a Dutch couple, who spent months traveling Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay before boarding the ship. They passed away on April 11 and 26.
The World Health Organization (WHO) chief said there’s been “no sign” of a larger hantavirus outbreak since the remaining 150 passengers were evacuated on May 10.
The WHO chief also noted this is an ongoing case, and the situation may change: “Given the long incubation period of the virus, it’s possible we might see more cases in the coming weeks.”
There have been nine confirmed and two suspected cases connected to the ship as of May 14, including three deaths. There are no confirmed cases linked to the ship in the U.S.
The CDC is monitoring 41 people across the U.S. for possible exposure. One of them tested positive while on the ship, but officials believe this was a false result. A second test on the ship came back negative.
What are the symptoms? How deadly is it?
Early Hantavirus symptoms are similar to the flu, including headaches, muscle aches, dizziness, fever, and chills. Initial symptoms can take up to eight weeks to develop, then progress into two types of serious illnesses.
Strains found in the Americas, including the Andes virus, can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). Patients can experience breathing issues as the lungs fill with fluid. 38% of cases are fatal.
Strains found in Europe and Asia can cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), which disrupts the kidneys. Patients can experience internal bleeding, lack of blood flow, and acute kidney failure. 5-15% of cases are fatal.
How can I protect myself from hantavirus?
The best way to protect yourself is to keep rodents out of your home. Close any holes and gaps inside and outside your home, keep food away and sealed, and use garbage bins with tight lids.
Spray rodent droppings with bleach, wait five minutes before wiping them up with paper towels, and disinfect the area. Wear gloves and protective gear.