Seven states are monitoring people who were either exposed to or are exhibiting symptoms of hantavirus.
The disease is at the center of a deadly cruise ship outbreak that has grabbed worldwide attention and prompted some to wonder whether it will become the next COVID-19 pandemic.
The World Health Organization reports the public health risk from the virus remains low.
Here’s what we know.
How did hantavirus get onto a cruise ship?
Officials are continuing to investigate the outbreak of the Andes strain of hantavirus that caused an outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship that has killed three people.
On board the ship were 17 Americans, who have returned to the United States to be monitored for symptoms.
The World Health Organization said it believes the hantavirus outbreak stemmed from a Dutch couple on board the ship. Prior to boarding the ship, the couple had gone on a bird-watching trip through Argentina, Chile and Uruguay.
Both later died from their infections.
Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, director of WHO’s department of epidemic and pandemic management, said the ship also stopped at many islands up the coast of Africa where others may have come in contact with the virus.
See map where people being monitored for hantavirus. Are any in Florida?
The map shows seven states where potentially impacted people are being quarantined or monitored.
As of May 11, one American has tested positive for hantavirus.
None are in Florida, although it’s unknown at this time which states the people call home.
How do you get hantavirus?
Hantavirus comes from contact with rodents — such as rats and mice — especially after exposure to their urine, droppings, and saliva, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
It can also spread through a bite or scratch by a rodent, although that is rare.
“To date, human-to-human transmission has been documented only for Andes virus in the Americas and remains uncommon,” WHO said.
➤ Hantavirus cruise patients are in U.S. How contagious is it?
“When it occurs, transmission between people has been associated with close and prolonged contact, particularly among household members or intimate partners, and appears most likely during the early phase of illness, when the virus is more transmissible.”
Will hantavirus become the next COVID-19 pandemic?
The World Health Organization reports the public health risk from the virus remains low, adding that “close and prolonged contact” is necessary for hantavirus to spread, and that’s only for the Andes strain.
That’s little consolation for the recorded 7 million who died during the COVID-19 pandemic or the 5%-7% of U.S. adults still suffering from long COVID, which can impact multiple body systems and significantly disrupt daily life, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
➤ COVID-19, pandemic trauma and why the hantavirus anxiety is hitting us so hard
The World Health Organization estimated the number of deaths worldwide from COVID-19 may be closer to 21 million.
“This is not the start of an epidemic. This is not the start of a pandemic,” Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, director of WHO’s Department of Epidemic and Pandemic Management said May 7.
Experts continue to emphasize people should not be alarmed about hantavirus.
Symptoms of hantavirus
In humans, symptoms usually begin between one and eight weeks after exposure, depending on the type of virus.
“Early diagnosis of hantavirus infection can be challenging because early symptoms are common with other febrile or respiratory illnesses, such as influenza, COVID-19, viral pneumonia, leptospirosis, dengue or sepsis,” according to WHO.
Symptoms typically include:
Is hantavirus in Florida?
While hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is most common in rural areas of the West, there have been cases throughout the U.S., including Florida, though it’s very rare.
➤ Can you get hantavirus in Florida?
Hantavirus has been identified in hispid cotton rats in Florida, according to the Florida Department of Health.
The Centers for Disease Control reports three cases in Florida between 1993 and 2023, including one in Dade County in 1993.
Contributing: Melina Khan, Sara Moniuszko, Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today
Cheryl McCloud is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://tallahassee.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Is Florida monitoring any cruise ship passengers for hantavirus?
Reporting by Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
