What is the story about?
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A recent outbreak of hantavirus aboard a cruise ship has resulted in the deaths of three passengers and has caused illness in others.
Health officials assert that the risk to the general public remains low due to the limited human-to-human transmission of the virus. Maria Van Kerkhove, director of epidemic and pandemic preparedness at the World Health Organization, stated, “This is not the next COVID, but it is a serious infectious disease. Most people will never be exposed to this.” The current outbreak involves the Andes virus, which has raised concerns among health officials.
Nature of Hantavirus
Hantaviruses, present globally for centuries, gained attention recently after the death of Betsy Arakawa, the wife of actor Gene Hackman, from a hantavirus infection in New Mexico. The virus primarily spreads through inhalation of contaminated rodent droppings, with the Andes virus posing a rare risk of human transmission.Health officials have emphasized that COVID-19 is more transmissible than hantavirus, complicating containment efforts during the pandemic. In contrast, hantavirus infections are less common but can be more severe once contracted.
Potential for Pandemic
Health authorities have indicated that the likelihood of this outbreak evolving into a pandemic is extremely low. The World Health Organization defines a pandemic as the global spread of a new disease, and the Andes virus does not appear to be widely disseminating, despite new cases being identified.Officials categorized the cruise ship cases as a “cluster” or “outbreak,” which refers to a higher-than-expected number of cases in a specific population, but not to the extent of an epidemic.
Investigation into the Source
Ongoing investigations aim to determine the source of the cruise ship outbreak. Authorities in Argentina suspect the initial infections occurred during a birdwatching trip in Ushuaia, though the virus has not previously been detected in that province. Local researchers attribute a surge in hantavirus cases in Argentina to climate change.Transmission Methods
Hantavirus primarily spreads through contact with rodent excretions, particularly when these materials become airborne. People often encounter hantavirus in homes, cabins, or sheds, especially during cleaning activities in poorly ventilated spaces.Researchers continue to study how the Andes virus may spread between individuals, with indications that symptomatic individuals could be infectious. The virus may be transmitted through small droplets when an infected person talks, coughs, or sneezes.
Symptoms and Risks
Hantavirus infections can escalate quickly and may become life-threatening. Initial symptoms include fever, chills, muscle aches, and headaches, resembling flu symptoms. The incubation period ranges from one to eight weeks after exposure to an infected rodent.As the disease progresses, patients may experience chest tightness due to fluid accumulation in the lungs. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome has a fatality rate of approximately 35%, while hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome varies between 1% and 15% mortality, according to the CDC.
Prevalence of Infections
Globally, hantavirus infections are relatively rare. In 2025, eight countries in the Americas reported 229 cases and 59 deaths. Argentina's health ministry recorded 28 hantavirus-related deaths last year and noted an increase in infections since June 2025.In the United States, federal health officials began monitoring hantavirus following a significant outbreak in 1993. Most cases occur in Western states, particularly New Mexico and Arizona, where rural environments increase the likelihood of rodent encounters.
Concerns About the Andes Virus
The hantavirus family is named after the Hantaan River in Korea, where the first virus was identified. Hantaan virus caused significant illness during the Korean War, but person-to-person transmission has not been documented for most hantaviruses, with the exception of the Andes virus in the current outbreak.Experts assert that while limited person-to-person transmission is possible, it requires close and prolonged contact. Steven Bradfute, an associate professor at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, remarked, “We haven’t had huge person-to-person spreads of hantavirus infection ever before.”
Research and Treatment Challenges
Currently, there is no specific treatment for hantavirus infections, but prompt medical care can enhance survival chances. Many questions remain regarding the disease's severity variations among individuals and the development of antibodies.Bradfute emphasized that rodent exposure is critical to infection prevention. Experts recommend minimizing contact with rodents and their droppings, using protective gear, and employing a bleach solution for cleaning contaminated areas. They advise against sweeping or vacuuming to avoid airborne virus particles.
