Hantavirus Live Tracker

The MV Hondius, a Dutch-flagged cruise ship that sailed from Argentina toward Antarctica and across the Atlantic, reported 7 cases of severe respiratory illness — 2 lab-confirmed hantavirus and 5 suspected — including 3 deaths and 1 critical case. 147 passengers and crew from 23 countries are on board. The WHO has not ruled out rare human-to-human transmission. The vessel is sailing to the Canary Islands after critical evacuations at Cape Verde.

Most hantaviruses (including the Sin Nombre virus in the US and Puumala in Europe) do NOT spread person-to-person. The exception is the Andes virus found in southern Chile and Argentina — limited human-to-human transmission has been documented. The WHO is investigating whether person-to-person spread occurred on the MV Hondius.

Early symptoms (1–5 weeks after exposure) mimic the flu: high fever (101–104°F / 38–40°C), severe muscle aches, profound fatigue, headache, chills, and abdominal pain. Respiratory symptoms appear later and progress rapidly — call emergency services immediately if shortness of breath develops.

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS / HCPS) has a global case fatality rate of roughly 35%. Hantavirus Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS), found mainly in Europe and Asia, has a much lower CFR (around 1–15% depending on strain).

There is no globally approved vaccine or specific antiviral for HPS. Treatment is supportive: ICU care, oxygen, mechanical ventilation, and ECMO in severe cases. Early ICU admission is the single most important factor in survival. China has an approved Hantavax vaccine for HFRS strains. An mRNA vaccine candidate is in Phase II trials as of 2026.

Avoid contact with rodents and their droppings. Seal gaps ≥6mm in your home, store food in sealed containers, never sweep or vacuum rodent droppings (wet with bleach solution first), wear an N95 respirator when cleaning rodent-infested areas, and air out cabins or sheds for at least 30 minutes before entering.