The hantavirus involved in the recent outbreak aboard a cruise ship was different to the virus that made news headlines in 2025. Learn why it is raising cause for concern.
The rodent-borne hantavirus has hit the news again. Last year it was the death of Betsy Arakawa, the wife of actor Gene Hackman, this year it has been the mass infection event of the cruise ship MV Hondius, where three passengers have died. So what do we know about the hantavirus involved in these two events and should we be concerned?
There are actually over 50 types of hantaviruses, of which 24 are known to infect humans. The different viruses cause one of two different disease types: haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS); or hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HPS). Up to 200,000 cases of hantavirus disease are reported each year, with the majority being HFRS in Asia. Hantavirus is a life-threatening disease, with mortality rates from HFRS ranging from 5-15% and mortality from HPS being nearer 40%. There is no vaccine or cure for hantavirus.
Ms Arakawa was infected with hantavirus that caused HPS. Like most other hantaviruses, it is generally contracted by inhaling infected rodent material i.e. dust containing rodent saliva, urine and faecal particles. Occasionally, it can be transmitted through bites and scratches from infected animals. However, the hantavirus that caused the outbreak on the cruise ship is different.
The hantavirus in the cruise ship outbreak has been identified as the Andean hantavirus. Although it also causes HPS, what is unique about this form of the hantavirus is that it can also be passed from human to human. Although the infectious period is short, only a day or so, during that period the disease can be easily transmitted. The challenge in managing the spread of the virus is that it has a long incubation period, of between 1-6 weeks after exposure.
It is thought that patient zero may have picked up the virus after visiting a garbage tip in Argentina, as part of a bird-watching trip. Garbage trips support large rodent populations. The Andean hantavirus is carried by long-tailed pygmy rice rats that are common in agricultural areas and around nearby dwellings.
Whilst health authorities believe the risks of this current outbreak have now been managed and the risk to global population is low, the appearance of the Andean hantavirus is relatively recent and authorities have very little experience in handling this virus. When first identified in 1996, although it was observed as having potential for human to human spread, sustained human transmission chains appeared to be extremely rare. It wasn’t until 2018, when there was an outbreak in the village of Epuyen in Argentina, that significant human to human transmission was recorded. Analysis demonstrated this was a new strain of Andes virus (Andean hantavirus) with increased human to human transmission. That outbreak resulted in 34 cases and 11 deaths.
With this latest outbreak, research efforts are likely to be intensified. The World Health Organization has not issued any travel advisories but has re-iterated the precautions that should be taken by anyone likely to be exposed to rodents – that is, they should wear the necessary personal safety equipment, especially appropriate mask, gloves and overalls.
