What is hantavirus and how does it spread?

BBC  |  Dominic Hughes, Philippa Roxby and Smitha Mundasad

A hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship, which arrived in the Canary Islands, has confirmed three cases and five suspected, including one death and hospitalizations across several countries. UK and US authorities are monitoring disembarked passengers, some isolating at home after potential exposure. The World Health Organization identified the Andes strain, known for rare human-to-human transmission, necessitating strict social distancing and infection control measures. While hantavirus primarily spreads from rodent excretions, the Andes strain, previously linked to a 2018 Argentinian outbreak, significantly complicates containment. Globally, infection risk is low beyond the vessel, but lacking specific treatment or widespread vaccine, combined with HPS's 20-40% mortality, exposes significant public health vulnerabilities. Approximately 150,000 HFRS cases occur worldwide annually, predominantly in Europe and Asia. This event critically highlights the need for robust international surveillance and rapid response protocols for emergent, trans-national health threats.

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