Reports of a hantavirus cluster linked to a cruise ship in the Atlantic have led many travelers, especially in Florida, to wonder: Is it safe to travel?
Public Health experts say the answer is yes. While risk is currently low, understanding the situation can help put the outbreak into perspective.
What is hantavirus?
Hantavirus is not new, but it is uncommon. It is primarily a rodent-borne virus, meaning people are typically exposed through environments where infected rodents have left behind urine, droppings or saliva.
While rare in humans, hantavirus can lead to serious illness. Infection can cause hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome, a severe respiratory illness with a case fatality rate up to 50% in the Americas, according to the World Health Organization.
In the recent cruise ship outbreak, health officials have reported a small number of severe cases, including fatalities. Early findings suggest that exposure may have occurred before passengers boarded the ship, although investigations are ongoing.
Dr. Sten Vermund, dean of the USF College of Public Health
"This is a rare event, and it's important not to overgeneralize the risk," said Sten Vermund, MD, PhD, dean of the USF Health College of Public Health and chief medical officer of the Global Virus Network, whose international headquarters are based at USF. "Hantavirus infections are typically linked to environmental exposure, not routine person-to-person spread or travel settings like cruise ships. In fact, this is the first-ever hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, and we still do not know whether there were unique circumstances. Investigations are ongoing. When complete, we can advise the industry on prevention."
How hantavirus spreads
Unlike viruses such as COVID-19 or influenza, hantavirus is not easily transmitted between people. Most infections occur when people breathe in dust from areas where rodents have been present.
The recent cases have been linked to the Andes strain of hantavirus, the only type known to spread between people. Health officials are continuing to investigate whether any transmission occurred onboard, as this type of spread is rare and typically requires close, prolonged contact.
Symptoms to watch for
Early symptoms of hantavirus infection can resemble the flu and may include:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Muscle aches
- Headache or gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain
In serious cases, symptoms can progress to:
- Shortness of breath
- Severe respiratory distress
- While the illness can be serious, it is also rare, and early medical care improves outcomes.
