Cruise suspected of Hantavirus outbreak causing 3 deaths; 5 key Q&A to understand incubation period and prevention
A cruise ship, the MV Hondius, is suspected of a Hantavirus outbreak resulting in 3 deaths and multiple illnesses, drawing international attention. This report provides 5 key Q&As covering Hantavirus transmission, human-to-human spread, treatment options, and preventive measures, emphasizing that while generally not person-to-person, the Andes virus strain is an exception.
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- 📰 Published: May 5, 2026 at 13:23
- 🔍 Collected: May 5, 2026 at 13:31 (8 min after Published)
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, New York, May 4, Comprehensive Foreign Report) A cruise ship was recently suspected of a Hantavirus outbreak, leading to 3 deaths and multiple illnesses, attracting widespread global attention. This article provides a comprehensive understanding of how Hantavirus is transmitted, whether it can be transmitted from person to person, if there are drugs to treat it, and how the public can prevent it.
Oceanwide Expeditions' "MV Hondius" departed from Argentina several weeks ago, traveling through Antarctica and Saint Helena. Recently, it was reported that 3 people died due to suspected hantavirus infection, drawing international concern.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the current epidemiological investigation of the cruise ship is closely related to the "Andes virus," a type of hantavirus. Hantavirus usually does not spread from person to person, but the Andes virus, prevalent in Chile and Argentina, is an exception, with an incubation period of several weeks, consistent with the cruise's departure location and date.
## What is Hantavirus and how is it transmitted?
There are over 50 types of Hantavirus, with rodents like rats and house mice as the primary hosts. Humans can get infected by coming into contact with the urine, feces, or saliva of infected animals. The risk of infection is higher in confined or poorly ventilated spaces.
In the Americas, the most dangerous symptom is "Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome" (HPS), a severe lung infection most common in Argentina, Chile, and Brazil. In Europe and Asia, the predominant form is "Hantavirus Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome" (HFRS), which attacks the kidneys, with tens of thousands of cases annually, mostly in China.
Hantavirus gained public attention in February last year when legendary Hollywood actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their New Mexico home. Autopsy results showed that Betsy died of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, while Hackman died of natural causes due to cardiovascular disease a week later.
## Can Hantavirus be transmitted from person to person?
Hantavirus typically does not spread from person to person, but the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that the "Andes virus" type, mainly prevalent in Chile and Argentina, is an exception, and there is already evidence that this virus can be transmitted from person to person to a limited extent.
Steven Bradfute, an immunologist and associate professor at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, said: "A Hantavirus infection appearing on a cruise ship is a situation no one expected."
## Common symptoms and risks of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome?
According to U.S. CDC data, the Andes virus is one of the main causes of "Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome." Patients begin to show symptoms approximately 1 to 8 weeks after exposure to the virus. Initial symptoms include fever, muscle aches (especially in the thighs, buttocks, back, and shoulders), fatigue, headache, dizziness, chills, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Four to ten days after the initial symptoms appear, respiratory symptoms such as coughing, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, and pulmonary edema may further develop. It is worth noting that once respiratory symptoms appear, the mortality rate can be as high as 38%. Due to the similarity of initial symptoms to the flu, diagnosis is often delayed.
## How is Hantavirus treated and prevented?
According to U.S. CDC data, there is currently no vaccine or specific drug for Hantavirus. Patients can only receive supportive care, such as rest, hydration, and symptomatic treatment. Those with severe respiratory distress may require a ventilator. Early medical attention helps improve survival rates.
Regarding vaccine research and development, a research team from the University of Texas at Austin published research progress on a candidate vaccine for the Andes virus in February this year, but it is currently only in the mouse experiment stage. Another human trial for an Andes virus vaccine showed that it can induce an immune response in healthy adults.
Since no effective vaccine is currently available, the U.S. CDC recommends that the public avoid contact with rodents at home, work, or during outdoor activities. For example, sealing gaps in homes or garages to prevent animals from entering, setting traps, and removing any food that might attract mice.
## What is the source of infection on the cruise ship? What will passengers and crew face?
Currently, relevant authorities have not identified the source of infection on the ship. Bradfute stated that if infected rodents are confirmed on board, public health officials may require thorough disinfection. This would involve first spraying all surfaces with disinfectant to prevent virus particles from becoming airborne.
Given that the incubation period for Hantavirus can be up to 8 weeks, passengers and crew may still need to be monitored for several weeks after disembarking. Bradfute said that if this virus strain is capable of human-to-human transmission, passengers will undergo strict contact tracing. (Translation: Chang Ming-hsuan) 1150505
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(Central News Agency, New York, May 4, Comprehensive Foreign Report) A cruise ship was recently suspected of a Hantavirus outbreak, leading to 3 deaths and multiple illnesses, attracting widespread global attention. This article provides a comprehensive understanding of how Hantavirus is transmitted, whether it can be transmitted from person to person, if there are drugs to treat it, and how the public can prevent it.
Oceanwide Expeditions' "MV Hondius" departed from Argentina several weeks ago, traveling through Antarctica and Saint Helena. Recently, it was reported that 3 people died due to suspected hantavirus infection, drawing international concern.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the current epidemiological investigation of the cruise ship is closely related to the "Andes virus," a type of hantavirus. Hantavirus usually does not spread from person to person, but the Andes virus, prevalent in Chile and Argentina, is an exception, with an incubation period of several weeks, consistent with the cruise's departure location and date.
## What is Hantavirus and how is it transmitted?
There are over 50 types of Hantavirus, with rodents like rats and house mice as the primary hosts. Humans can get infected by coming into contact with the urine, feces, or saliva of infected animals. The risk of infection is higher in confined or poorly ventilated spaces.
In the Americas, the most dangerous symptom is "Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome" (HPS), a severe lung infection most common in Argentina, Chile, and Brazil. In Europe and Asia, the predominant form is "Hantavirus Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome" (HFRS), which attacks the kidneys, with tens of thousands of cases annually, mostly in China.
Hantavirus gained public attention in February last year when legendary Hollywood actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their New Mexico home. Autopsy results showed that Betsy died of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, while Hackman died of natural causes due to cardiovascular disease a week later.
## Can Hantavirus be transmitted from person to person?
Hantavirus typically does not spread from person to person, but the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that the "Andes virus" type, mainly prevalent in Chile and Argentina, is an exception, and there is already evidence that this virus can be transmitted from person to person to a limited extent.
Steven Bradfute, an immunologist and associate professor at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, said: "A Hantavirus infection appearing on a cruise ship is a situation no one expected."
## Common symptoms and risks of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome?
According to U.S. CDC data, the Andes virus is one of the main causes of "Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome." Patients begin to show symptoms approximately 1 to 8 weeks after exposure to the virus. Initial symptoms include fever, muscle aches (especially in the thighs, buttocks, back, and shoulders), fatigue, headache, dizziness, chills, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Four to ten days after the initial symptoms appear, respiratory symptoms such as coughing, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, and pulmonary edema may further develop. It is worth noting that once respiratory symptoms appear, the mortality rate can be as high as 38%. Due to the similarity of initial symptoms to the flu, diagnosis is often delayed.
## How is Hantavirus treated and prevented?
According to U.S. CDC data, there is currently no vaccine or specific drug for Hantavirus. Patients can only receive supportive care, such as rest, hydration, and symptomatic treatment. Those with severe respiratory distress may require a ventilator. Early medical attention helps improve survival rates.
Regarding vaccine research and development, a research team from the University of Texas at Austin published research progress on a candidate vaccine for the Andes virus in February this year, but it is currently only in the mouse experiment stage. Another human trial for an Andes virus vaccine showed that it can induce an immune response in healthy adults.
Since no effective vaccine is currently available, the U.S. CDC recommends that the public avoid contact with rodents at home, work, or during outdoor activities. For example, sealing gaps in homes or garages to prevent animals from entering, setting traps, and removing any food that might attract mice.
## What is the source of infection on the cruise ship? What will passengers and crew face?
Currently, relevant authorities have not identified the source of infection on the ship. Bradfute stated that if infected rodents are confirmed on board, public health officials may require thorough disinfection. This would involve first spraying all surfaces with disinfectant to prevent virus particles from becoming airborne.
Given that the incubation period for Hantavirus can be up to 8 weeks, passengers and crew may still need to be monitored for several weeks after disembarking. Bradfute said that if this virus strain is capable of human-to-human transmission, passengers will undergo strict contact tracing. (Translation: Chang Ming-hsuan) 1150505
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-Hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news in real-time.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.