An outbreak of hantavirus on a cruise ship has resulted in the deaths of three passengers and illness in others. Despite the severity, health officials state the risk to the public remains low as hantavirus does not spread easily between people.

Understanding Hantavirus

Hantavirus is a rodent-borne virus that can cause severe health complications, such as deadly lung infections or kidney failure. It spreads mainly through contact with rodent droppings, urine, or saliva. The Andes virus, a specific type of hantavirus, has caused the current outbreak and may, in rare cases, spread between people.

Official Statements and Actions

Maria Van Kerkhove from the World Health Organization emphasized that this is a serious infectious disease but not a new pandemic threat. Health officials remain vigilant, particularly with travelers from the affected cruise returning home.

Case Study: The Cruise Ship Outbreak

The outbreak likely originated from a birdwatching trip in Ushuaia, Argentina, although the virus hadn’t been detected in that province before. Argentina has seen a rise in hantavirus cases, attributed partly to climate change.

Transmission and Symptoms

Hantavirus spreads via inhalation of contaminated particles. Symptoms start with flu-like signs and can evolve quickly into severe conditions like hantavirus pulmonary syndrome or hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome. The fatality rates vary, with hantavirus pulmonary syndrome being lethal in approximately 35% of cases.

Global Occurrence and U.S. Cases

Globally, hantavirus infections are uncommon. In the Americas, only 229 cases and 59 deaths were documented by 2025 across eight countries. In the U.S., most cases occur in Western states, particularly in New Mexico and Arizona, due to the prevalence of rodents.

Key Member: The Andes Virus

The Andes virus is noteworthy in the hantavirus family for its potential, though rare, human-to-human transmission. Health experts advise that this mode of transmission requires close contact.

Research and Precautionary Measures

There is no specific cure for hantavirus, but early medical intervention improves survival chances. Researchers focus on rodent exposure as a primary transmission method. To reduce risk, avoid direct contact with rodents. Use protective gear and disinfectant solutions to clean areas contaminated with rodent waste.

Contributors: Mike Stobbe, Randy Herschaft, and Isabel Debre for the Associated Press.