Hantavirus cruise ship outbreak raises US spread concerns: what you need to know
NEWNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
As investigations continue into the hantavirus outbreak that began on the MV Hondius cruise ship, concerns are growing about the spread of the virus in the US.
Among the passengers of the ship, which was crossing the Atlantic from Argentina, there were three deaths and at least eight cases were reported, most of which were confirmed in the laboratory, according to the World Health Organization and subsequent health reports.
At least five states are now monitoring residents returning from the MV Hondius, including Texas, Virginia, Georgia, Arizona and California, according to reports.
HANTAVIRUS DEATH IN SUFFERING SHIP RAISES DANGER OF STICK-BORNE DISEASE
In the US, there have been about 800 to 900 cases of hantavirus, according to Luis Marcos, MD, professor of medicine and director of the Infectious Diseases Fellowship Program at Stony Brook Medicine in New York.
CDC data supports this, showing that 890 cases of hantavirus disease were reported in the US from 1993 until the end of 2023.
As investigations continue into the hantavirus outbreak that began on the MV Hondius cruise ship, concerns are growing about the spread of the virus in the US. (Stock)
“Most of these incidents were west of the Mississippi River, and the risk factors were contact with sewage and rat urine,” Marcos told Fox News Digital.
The most common type is called Sin Nombre, which is not passed from person to person, the doctor said.
“Transmission is not as efficient as other viruses.”
Most types of hantavirus are spread by inhaling contaminated particles from rat urine, feces or saliva – or, less commonly, by touching a contaminated surface and then touching the mouth, nose or eyes – and are not contagious from person to person.
HANTAVIRUS, AFTER DEATH OF GENE HACKMAN'S WIFE, THREE KILLED IN CALIFORNIA
Common cases include people who have been camping or hiking in remote areas and unknowingly come into contact with this feces or urine.
“The only confirmed human-to-human transmission was with the Andean virus from South America — and that's what's happening now,” Marcos told Fox News Digital.
Among the passengers of the ship, which was crossing the Atlantic from Argentina, there were three deaths and at least eight cases were reported, most of which were confirmed in the laboratory. (Getty Images)
The current outbreak on the cruise ship reportedly originated from a couple who contracted the virus while traveling in Argentina.
“They have no symptoms at all – the incubation period can be one, two, three or four weeks,” Marcos said.
Most types of hantavirus are spread by inhaling contaminated particles from rodent urine, feces or saliva. (Stock)
Most people with the virus have flu-like symptoms and COVID-19, such as fever and muscle aches.
“Some people may have a mild disease, so not all people will be seriously ill,” the doctor noted.
GENE HACKMAN'S HOUSE WAS FOUND RANDOMLY AFTER WIFE DIED OF HANTAVIRUS.
In rare cases, hantavirus can lead to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), which causes the lungs to fill with fluid and can be fatal, the doctor noted.
“Death rate [among those with HPS] it's between 30% and 60% – so yes, it's a deadly virus,” added the doctor.
Regarding transmission, Marcos emphasized that those most at risk are people who are “very close,” meaning they live in the same place where fluids can be exchanged.
“The longest incubation period has been 56 days or more.”
“It should be a really close connection,” he said. “Transmission is not as efficient as other viruses.”
Although the virus may have been transmitted through the air through droplets, Marcos pointed out that such transmission is “not as effective” as COVID, flu or cold viruses.
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR HEALTH PAPER
“On this cruise, it is important that people stay alone for a certain period of time,” he said.
The virus has a long incubation period, which means that the period of confinement may be several weeks. “The longest incubation period has been 56 days or more, so two months, roughly,” Marcos said. “But most cases will be sick in two or three weeks.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLES
There are currently no treatments for hantavirus.
“So what happens is that the patient will end up in the hospital. We will do supportive care, which means if your lungs are full of fluid, you will need a ventilator until you know the virus is going away,” said Marcos.
“We will do supportive care, which means if your lungs are full of fluid, you will need a ventilator until you know the virus is going away,” the doctor said. (Stock)
Although there is currently no vaccine for hantavirus in the US, Marcos noted that several are still in development.
The doctor said he believes the risk of hantavirus leading to a pandemic is “close to zero.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM
“I don't feel like I'm at a high risk of an epidemic,” he told Fox News Digital. “Transmission is not the same as COVID. It's very different.”
“I think this will end in the next two to three weeks, and we will know exactly the number of cases,” he added.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
To prevent hantavirus, Marcos recommends wearing gloves and a mask in areas where rats may be present, such as cleaning the basement.
Proper ventilation and frequent hand washing can help prevent the spread.
