The World Health Organization (WHO) is currently monitoring a suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship, anchored off Cape Verde. Following three passenger deaths and the evacuation of patients to the Netherlands, WHO launched an immediate response.

While the incident has sparked speculations of Covid-like repercussions, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told AFP that the event does not mirror the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"The risk to the rest of the world is low," Ghebreyesus said, noting that there is currently no need to convene an emergency committee.

What is Hantavirus?

According to the World Health Organization, hantaviruses are a family of viruses spread mainly by rodents. The effects on human bodies are diverse, depending on the region. In the Americas, the virus typically manifests as Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), while in Europe and Asia, it usually presents as Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS).

How it spreads

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that hantavirus is a zoonotic disease (transmitted from animals). Humans typically become infected through "aerosolisation" -- a process which occurs when virus particles from rodent urine, droppings, or saliva are stirred into the air and inhaled.

Infection can also occur through direct bites or by touching the eyes, nose, or mouth after handling contaminated materials.

The recent outbreak, however, involves a new strain. While most hantaviruses are not known to spread between people, the WHO confirms that the “Andes strain” is transmissible between humans. This rare characteristic is what prompted the heightened international response regarding the MV Hondius.

Symptoms and severity

The CDC identifies early symptoms as fever, fatigue, and muscle aches, often followed by headaches, dizziness, and abdominal pain. If the disease progresses to HPS, patients experience sudden shortness of breath and coughing as the lungs fill with fluid.

The WHO reports that fatality rate of HPS can be between 38% to 50%, while it is significantly lower for HFRS ((1% to 15%).

Prevention and outlook

Health authorities emphasise that rodent control is the primary strategy for prevention. There is currently no specific treatment, cure, or vaccine for hantavirus infection; however, early medical intervention and intensive care significantly improve survival rates.