An Overview of the Hantavirus Outbreak

What is Happening? 

A rare hantavirus outbreak is currently being investigated after multiple passengers aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship became critically ill. Health agencies around the world, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are monitoring the situation.

The outbreak looks to be linked to the Andes strain of the hantavirus, an unusual and rare strain that can spread from person to person. 

Current Numbers 

Reports currently indicate at least 5 laboratory-confirmed cases linked to this outbreak, 8 suspected total cases, and 3 deaths linked to the outbreak so far.

Medics escort evacuated MV Hondius patient with suspected hantavirus infection

What is unique about this outbreak? 

Most hantaviruses spread through contact with infected rodent urine, saliva, or droppings. However, the Andes virus is one of the only hantavirus strains capable of human-to-human contact, usually through prolonged close contact. 

Although this Andes virus is unusual, experts emphasize that it is much less contagious than viruses like COVID-19.

“This is not COVID. This is not influenza. This is an outbreak on a ship and we do not anticipate a large epidemic,” said Maria Van Kerkhove, PhD, and the World Health Organization’s director of epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention.

What are the symptoms?

Early symptoms of hantavirus include:

• Fatigue

• Fever

• Muscle Aches (especially in large muscle groups: thighs, hips, back, and sometimes shoulders)

Half of the people infected also experience:

• Headaches

• Dizziness

• Chills

• Abdominal problems 

Four to 10 days after these symptoms show, coughing and shortness of breath may appear as the lungs fill up with fluid.

Current map of people exposed to the hantavirus outbreak in the U.S.

There’s a Minimal Risk to the Public 

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has classified this hantavirus outbreak as a level 3 emergency response—the lowest level of emergency activation. 

This is because human-to-human transmission is incredibly rare and not as easily transmitted as respiratory illnesses. 

Hantavirus Treatment

There is no current treatment for hantavirus. According to Harvard Health Publishing, ribavirin—an antiviral drug—is sometimes used for a specific type of hantavirus that causes kidney failure; however, it’s not proven to be effective for aiding once the hantavirus reaches the lung and heart. 

Don't Panic, Stay Informed

There are a lot of social media posts sensationalizing this current disease, spreading false data, and overall making a spectacle about this outbreak. When seeing news that makes you panic, it's important to consult other trusted media sources to ensure the facts you're consuming are trustworthy and accurate.

One of those trusted sources to consider is The World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO has been publishing easy-to-consume articles and fact sheets to keep the public informed about the realities of this outbreak.