Health experts are closely monitoring a rare outbreak of hantavirus linked to a Dutch cruise ship traveling from Argentina to the Canary Islands, raising questions about how the virus spreads and the actual risk to the public.
According to researchers, hantavirus is a family of viruses carried mainly by rodents such as rats and mice. The animals do not get sick, but they shed the virus through urine, droppings, and saliva. Humans become infected when they inhale particles from contaminated environments, or when the virus enters the body through the mouth, nose, eyes, or open wounds.
The illness can be severe. In many cases, it leads to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a dangerous condition where fluid fills the lungs and breathing becomes difficult. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome
Why this outbreak is unusual:
Experts say outbreaks are rare, especially on ships. The current case involves the Andes strain of hantavirus, which is one of the few types known to spread between humans, though only through close contact such as sharing living space, food, or intimate contact.
So far, at least eight cases have been reported, including several deaths. Most patients developed fever, stomach issues, and quickly progressed to severe lung complications.
How hantavirus spreads:
There are more than 40 types of hantavirus worldwide. In most cases, humans catch it from infected rodents, not from other people. The virus can become airborne when contaminated dust or materials are disturbed—for example, when cleaning rodent-infested areas.
However, the Andes virus is different. It can spread from person to person, but not easily. It requires prolonged close contact, unlike highly contagious viruses such as influenza or COVID-19.
Risk to the public.
Health officials, including the World Health Organization, say the risk to the general public remains low. Even in regions where rodents carrying hantavirus are common, human infections are still very rare.
Experts stress that while hantavirus infections can be deadly, the virus does not spread efficiently in everyday settings, which helps limit large outbreaks.
Although the cruise ship outbreak is serious and being carefully investigated, experts say it does not indicate a broader global threat. Most hantavirus infections still come from accidental exposure to infected rodents, not from person-to-person transmission.
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