Why Hantavirus is suddenly back in global headlines

A rare but potentially deadly virus has returned to global headlines after a suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius, a cruise ship traveling from Argentina to Cape Verde, left several passengers dead and others under investigation. The incident has triggered international monitoring efforts and renewed public attention around a disease many people know little about.

While the World Health Organization (WHO) says the overall public risk remains low, the outbreak is being closely monitored because the strain suspected in the cases, known as the Andes virus, is among the only hantaviruses known to spread between humans under limited circumstances.

What is hantavirus?

Hantaviruses are a family of viruses primarily carried by rodents and transmitted to humans through contact with infected urine, saliva, or droppings. According to the WHO, these zoonotic viruses naturally infect rodents and only occasionally spread to humans, but when they do, the illness can become severe and sometimes fatal.

The disease appears in different forms depending on the region and strain involved. In the Americas, hantaviruses can cause Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome (HCPS), a dangerous respiratory disease affecting the lungs and heart. WHO says HCPS can carry a fatality rate of up to 50%.

In Europe and Asia, hantaviruses are more commonly linked to Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS), which mainly affects the kidneys and blood vessels and generally has lower mortality rates.

Where did hantavirus originate?

Scientists first identified hantaviruses near the Hantan River in South Korea, which gave the virus family its name. However, the disease gained major international attention in 1993 after a mysterious outbreak in the Four Corners region of the United States, where Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah meet.

At the time, healthy young adults suddenly developed severe respiratory failure, leading scientists to identify a previously unknown hantavirus strain carried by deer mice. Since then, isolated outbreaks and sporadic cases have continued to appear across the Americas, Europe, and Asia.

How does hantavirus spread?

Hantavirus usually spreads after people inhale particles from dried rodent urine, droppings, or saliva, often while cleaning enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces. Infection can also occur through contaminated surfaces, and more rarely through rodent bites or scratches.

WHO identifies farming, forestry work, rodent-infested buildings, and abandoned spaces as major exposure risks. Most hantaviruses do not spread between humans, although the Andes strain found in Argentina and Chile has caused rare cases of limited human-to-human transmission through close and prolonged contact.

What are the symptoms?

One of the main challenges surrounding hantavirus is that its early symptoms closely resemble the flu, making diagnosis difficult. Symptoms usually appear between one and eight weeks after exposure and may include:

- Fever

- Fatigue

- Headaches

- Muscle aches

- Nausea and vomiting

- Abdominal pain

In severe cases, the disease can rapidly progress into:

- Coughing

- Shortness of breath

- Fluid buildup in the lungs

- Respiratory failure

- Kidney complications

Because symptoms overlap with illnesses such as influenza, COVID-19, and dengue, doctors often rely on patient history, including possible rodent exposure and travel history, when evaluating suspected cases.

Why is hantavirus considered dangerous?

One of the main concerns surrounding hantavirus is the absence of a licensed vaccine or specific antiviral cure.

According to WHO, treatment mainly focuses on supportive medical care and the management of complications affecting the lungs, heart, and kidneys. Patients with severe illness may require oxygen support, mechanical ventilation, intensive care, or dialysis.

Health experts stress that early hospitalization and close monitoring significantly improve survival chances, particularly for patients suffering from severe respiratory complications.

Although relatively uncommon, the disease remains highly dangerous because of its high fatality rates, especially in HCPS cases.

How common is hantavirus worldwide?

Despite the seriousness of the disease, hantavirus infections remain relatively rare worldwide. WHO estimates that between 10,000 and more than 100,000 infections occur globally each year, with the majority concentrated in Asia and Europe.

China and South Korea continue to report large numbers of HFRS cases annually, while several thousand additional cases are recorded across parts of Europe.

In the Americas, HCPS is much rarer but significantly more lethal. The United States has recorded fewer than 1,000 confirmed hantavirus cases since surveillance began in 1993, while countries such as Argentina, Chile, Brazil, and Paraguay continue to report small numbers of infections each year.

Why are health authorities concerned now?

The outbreak aboard the MV Hondius has drawn international attention because investigators are still trying to determine how transmission occurred. Several passengers developed severe respiratory illness during the voyage, while multiple deaths and additional suspected cases remain under investigation.

Health authorities are examining whether the virus spread through rodents aboard the ship, exposure during previous stops in Argentina, or limited person-to-person transmission involving the Andes strain. Laboratory investigations are ongoing to identify the exact strain responsible.

While hantavirus is not comparable to COVID-19 in terms of contagiousness, experts remain cautious because some strains carry high fatality rates and limited human transmission remains possible.

How can people protect themselves?

Because there is no cure, prevention remains the most effective defense against hantavirus. WHO advises people to avoid contact with rodent waste, seal openings that allow rodents into homes, securely store food, and maintain clean environments.

The organization also warns against dry sweeping or vacuuming rodent droppings, as this can release infectious particles into the air. Instead, contaminated areas should first be dampened with disinfectant before careful cleaning while wearing gloves and practicing proper hygiene.