A rare virus, which can be contracted through exposure to rodents or their faeces, has been linked to the deaths of several tourists on an international cruise ship. The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed at least one case of hantavirus on board the MV Hondius, which is sailing across the Atlantic Ocean, with five additional suspected cases reported.
Out of the six people affected, three have died, while one remains in intensive care. Hantavirus gained attention last year after it was responsible for the death of Betsy Arakawa, the wife of late actor Gene Hackman.
What is hantavirus?
Hantaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause serious illness and even death. They lead to two main syndromes: hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), which is found in the Western Hemisphere, and haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), which is more common in Europe and Asia.
HPS affects the lungs and can present symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 38 per cent of people who develop these respiratory symptoms may die from the disease.
On the other hand, HFRS targets the kidneys, potentially causing low blood pressure, internal bleeding, and acute kidney failure. While the fatality rate varies depending on the strain, between 5 to 15 per cent of cases can be fatal.
How is hantavirus spread?
According to the CDC, hantavirus is most commonly transmitted from rodents to humans through environmental exposure rather than person-to-person contact. The virus spreads when the fresh urine, droppings, or nesting materials of an infected rodent are disturbed and released into the air.
Individuals can become infected by inhaling this contaminated air. Hantavirus can also be transmitted if the saliva, urine, or faeces of an infected animal come into contact with a person’s cut or wound, or enter their eyes, nose, or mouth.
Why are cruise ship outbreaks so common?
Dr Renata Muylaert, from the University of Sydney’s Disease Ecology Lab, describes the hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship as “certainly concerning” but “rare.” She explains that hantavirus prevention depends on reducing exposure to its natural hosts—rats and mice.
“In enclosed environments like cruise ship interiors, this means implementing strict rodent control measures, maintaining high hygiene standards, and ensuring that food and grain are securely stored to prevent any rodent infestation.”
The hantavirus incident is part of a broader pattern of cruise ship outbreaks globally, with gastroenteritis, COVID-19, and influenza all causing serious illness and even death among passengers.
On cruise ships, large groups of people gather in confined spaces for extended periods, creating an environment conducive to “superspreader events.” A 2021 study found that the risk of contracting diseases like gastroenteritis increases on longer voyages due to prolonged exposure.
MV Hondius, the vessel involved in the hantavirus outbreak, departed from Argentina on March 20 and was expected to complete its journey on Monday in Cape Verde, marking a 45-day voyage. The WHO is conducting a “full public health risk assessment” and providing support to the remaining passengers on board.
