Why experts say hantavirus isn’t ‘COVID
WGAL • • general
Key Points:
- The hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship in May has raised concerns reminiscent of early COVID-19, but experts emphasize key differences, including hantavirus’s limited human-to-human transmission and low mutation rate.
- Hantavirus primarily spreads through contact with infected rodents or their droppings, with person-to-person transmission documented only for the Andes strain, which is linked to the current outbreak and previous cases in Argentina.
- Unlike COVID-19, hantavirus does not easily spread among people, requires close or intimate contact for transmission, and shows no evidence of asymptomatic spread, making outbreaks easier to contain.
- Genetic studies indicate hantavirus mutates very slowly compared to flu and COVID-19 viruses, reducing the risk of rapid changes that could complicate public health responses.
- Eighteen exposed American passengers are currently isolated in specialized medical facilities, with most asymptomatic and under observation, while experts advise managing anxiety by limiting media exposure and focusing on trusted information sources.