Experts Reveal the Symptoms of Hantavirus You Should Watch For

Key Points:

• A recent hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship resulted in 11 confirmed cases and three deaths, but hantavirus is generally not a common or rapidly spreading cruise ship illness, as it primarily transmits through contact with infected rodent excretions rather than person-to-person.
• Hantavirus symptoms typically begin one week to two months after exposure and include fever, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, chills, dizziness, and diarrhea, progressing to severe respiratory symptoms like dry cough, chest tightness, and fluid buildup in the lungs, which can be fatal if untreated.
• The virus is rare, with fewer than 900 cases in the U.S. from 1993 to 2022, and is contracted mainly through inhalation of airborne particles from rodent urine, droppings, or saliva, as well as bites, scratches, or contaminated surfaces; certain populations such as pregnant people, young children, immunocompromised individuals, and those with frequent rodent exposure are at higher risk.
• Hantavirus can be killed on surfaces using disinfectants or bleach solutions, and precautions like avoiding vacuuming or sweeping rodent droppings are essential to prevent aerosolizing the virus; there is no specific antiviral treatment, so medical care focuses on supportive measures including oxygen and intensive care if needed.
• Despite the severity of some cases, hantavirus should not cause widespread panic, especially outside regions where certain strains like the Andes virus circulate, as the virus does not typically spread easily between people and outbreaks remain geographically limited.