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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A recent outbreak of hantavirus aboard a cruise ship has resulted in the deaths of three passengers and illnesses among others.
Health officials assert that the general public faces a low risk as the virus does not spread easily between individuals. Maria Van Kerkhove, director of epidemic and pandemic preparedness at the World Health Organization, emphasized, “This is not the next COVID, but it is a serious infectious disease. Most people will never be exposed to this.”
Understanding Hantavirus
The hantavirus primarily spreads through inhalation of particles contaminated by rodent droppings. This family of viruses has been known for centuries and is believed to exist globally.Last year, the disease drew attention when Betsy Arakawa, the wife of late actor Gene Hackman, succumbed to a hantavirus infection in New Mexico.
Source of the Outbreak
Investigations into the cruise ship outbreak are ongoing, focusing on its origins. Argentine officials suspect the virus was contracted during a birdwatching trip in Ushuaia, located at the southern tip of Argentina.Argentina has experienced a rise in hantavirus cases, with local researchers attributing this surge to climate change. Evidence of the Andes virus, a variant of hantavirus, has also been found.
Transmission and Risk Factors
Hantavirus is mainly transmitted through contact with rodents or their excretions, particularly when disturbed, allowing particles to become airborne. Exposure often occurs in homes, cabins, or sheds, especially during cleaning activities in poorly ventilated areas.Symptoms and Progression of the Illness
The initial symptoms of hantavirus infection resemble those of the flu, including fever, chills, muscle aches, and headaches. Symptoms typically appear between one and eight weeks following contact with an infected rodent.As the disease progresses, patients may experience chest tightness as fluid accumulates in the lungs. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome can be fatal in approximately 35% of cases, while hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome has a death rate ranging from 1% to 15%, according to the CDC.
Prevalence of Hantavirus Infections
Globally, hantavirus infections remain relatively rare. In 2025, the WHO reported 229 cases and 59 deaths across eight countries in the Americas.Argentina's health ministry recorded 28 hantavirus-related deaths nationwide last year and reported 101 infections since June 2025, marking a significant increase from the previous year.
In the United States, the virus was first tracked following a 1993 outbreak in the Four Corners region. Most U.S. cases occur in Western states, with New Mexico and Arizona identified as hotspots due to more frequent interactions between humans and rodents in rural areas.
Concerns Surrounding the Andes Virus
The term hantavirus encompasses a diverse family of viruses, with various strains found in different regions. Most strains do not transmit from person to person, except for the Andes virus, which has been linked to the current outbreak.However, the World Health Organization maintains that person-to-person transmission is rare and typically requires close, prolonged contact. Steven Bradfute, an associate professor at the University of New Mexico, stated, “We haven’t had huge person-to-person spreads of hantavirus infection ever before, and there’s no reason to suspect a huge outbreak from this case at this point.”
Ongoing Research and Prevention Measures
Currently, no specific treatment exists for hantavirus, but prompt medical attention can enhance survival chances. Research continues to explore the variability in infection severity and antibody development among patients.Bradfute noted, “In the Americas, hantavirus infection is very serious, but it's also quite rare.” He highlighted that rodent exposure remains a critical factor in transmission, urging individuals to minimize contact with rodents and their droppings.
To prevent infection, public health experts recommend using protective gloves and bleach solutions for cleaning droppings, while advising against sweeping or vacuuming, which can aerosolize virus particles.
