How worried should we be about hantavirus?

"This is not Covid, this is not influenza, it spreads very, very differently. Unlike diseases such as measles, which are highly contagious and spread easily, the Andes strain of hantavirus behind the outbreak is not that infectious. Human-to-human spread is possible but the risk of infections globally remains low."

"Hantavirus typically spreads from rodents, with people infected by breathing in air contaminated with virus particles from rodent urine, droppings, or saliva. The cruise had been visiting remote wildlife areas, so a passenger could have come into contact with the virus then, or before boarding the ship."

"Experts have observed the Andes strain spreading between human patients in previous outbreaks, through very close contact and health experts believe that some of the infections on board MV Hondius may have passed between people. Even luxury cruise ships have relatively cramped or restricted living conditions, with people sharing cabins and dining areas."

A hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship that departed from Argentina has resulted in three deaths and four medical evacuations. Eight cases—three confirmed and five suspected—have been identified among passengers who have since traveled to countries including the UK, South Africa, the Netherlands, the US, and Switzerland. The Andes strain of hantavirus responsible for the outbreak spreads differently than highly contagious diseases like measles or COVID-19. Human-to-human transmission is possible but remains low-risk globally. Hantavirus typically spreads from rodents through contaminated air from urine, droppings, or saliva. The outbreak's origin remains unclear, though the ship visited remote wildlife areas where initial exposure may have occurred. Close quarters on the vessel may have facilitated some person-to-person infections.

Read at www.bbc.com