Hantavirus outbreak: 15 key things to know as WHO rules out new pandemic
The World Health Organisation has reassured the global community that the recent hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius does not signal the beginning of another pandemic. The outbreak, which
The World Health Organisation has reassured the global community that the recent hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius does not signal the beginning of another pandemic.
The outbreak, which has resulted in a small number of infections and deaths among passengers, initially raised concerns due to its association with a confined setting and the memory of the COVID-19 crisis. However, WHO officials have emphasised that hantavirus behaves very differently from highly transmissible respiratory viruses.
Speaking during a press briefing, WHO experts explained that the virus is far less contagious, spreads primarily through contact with infected rodents, and rarely transmits between humans, even under specific conditions. Authorities also noted that the current cases appear to be limited and linked to close interactions among individuals, rather than widespread community transmission.
Despite the seriousness of the illness, the WHO maintains that the overall public health risk remains low, stressing that most people worldwide are unlikely to be exposed. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact source of the outbreak and whether additional cases may emerge due to the virus’s relatively long incubation period.
Here are 15 things to know as WHO rules out new pandemic
1. It is not a new COVID-19–type threat:
WHO officials, including Maria Van Kerkhove, made it clear that the outbreak is not comparable to COVID-19 and is unlikely to trigger a global pandemic.
2. The outbreak is linked to a cruise ship:
The current cases were detected aboard the MV Hondius, where transmission appears to have occurred among passengers.
3. The public health risk is low:
The WHO maintains that the overall risk to the general public remains low due to limited human-to-human transmission.
4. Only a few cases have been recorded:
According to Tedros Ghebreyesus, eight cases have been identified so far, including three deaths.
5. It is caused by a rodent-borne virus:
Hantaviruses are typically spread through contact with infected rodents or their urine, droppings, or saliva.
6. Infection often occurs through inhalation:
People can contract the virus by inhaling particles contaminated by rodent waste, especially in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces.
7. The strain involved is the Andes virus:
The outbreak has been linked to the Andes strain, found mainly in South America and known for limited human-to-human transmission.
8. Human transmission is rare:
Unlike COVID-19, the virus does not spread easily between people and usually requires close, prolonged contact.
9. Symptoms resemble the flu at first:
Early signs include fever, chills, muscle aches, and headaches, making initial detection difficult.
10. It can become severe quickly:
In serious cases, patients may develop breathing difficulties as fluid builds up in the lungs.
11. The incubation period can last weeks:
Symptoms may appear up to six weeks after exposure, meaning more cases could still emerge.
12. There is no specific cure yet:
There is currently no dedicated treatment or vaccine, though early medical care improves survival chances.
13. Fatality rates can be high:
Some forms of the disease, such as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, can have fatality rates of up to 35 percent.
14. Exposure may have started before boarding:
Investigators suspect the initial infections may have occurred during a trip in southern Argentina before passengers boarded the ship.
15. Prevention focuses on avoiding rodents:
Health experts advise minimizing contact with rodents and using protective measures when cleaning areas where rodent droppings are present.
