Hantavirus On The Rise: What You Need to Know

Hantavirus cases are rising across the world after a recent outbreak on a cruise ship traveling through the South Atlantic.

The virus is originally found in rodents on all six continents where they preside, in different strains depending on the location. Most strains only see the virus transmit from rodents to humans, with humans contracting the virus through direct contact or breathing airborne particles from infected rodents, their droppings, saliva, or urine. However, the Andes strain of the virus transmits from human to human, allowing the virus to spread between people.

Hantavirus also has several adverse health effects that can occur as a result of the virus, such as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS).

Because of these dangers, reports of a hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, the MV Hondius, quickly sparked alarm among health officials and organizations. At least three people were killed by the outbreak, and an additional eight around the world have been confirmed positive for hantavirus after coming into contact with several passengers who contracted the virus during their time aboard.

In the United States, one passenger is in a biocontainment unit at the University of Nebraska, while 15 others are at the university's quarantine unit. Two others are currently quarantining at Atlanta's Emory University.

However, the World Health Organization has warned that there may be more cases than initially reported, due to the contact between passengers prior to taking measures to prevent against infection.

While the impact of the outbreak is spreading, officials say it is unlikely to pose a major threat to the wider public. All passengers from the ship are being quarantined for the next six to eight weeks in an attempt to curb the spread of the virus, and individuals who came into contact with passengers are being monitored in case of infection.

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