On a Dutch-flagged expedition cruise ship in the South Atlantic Ocean, MV Hondius, passengers suffered extreme illness and were officially diagnosed with Hantavirus and reported to the World Health Organization. This occurred on May 2, and the ship consisted of 147 passengers and crew combined. Since the diagnosis, three people have passed away and many others have experienced similar symptoms.
At first, symptoms include fatigue, fever and muscle aches in the thighs, back and hips. As the disease progresses, the symptoms become much more severe, with later symptoms including shortness of breath, coughing and lungs filling with fluid.
Officials emphasize that the risk of the United States is low; however, the outbreak of this virus has startled many, resulting in people expressing their fear by spiraling and sharing their theories on the internet. People are comparing this infectious disease to the 2020 COVID-19 outbreak, and making references to popular social media trends returning.
The two diseases sound similar, Hantavirus spreads in a different way than COVID-19 does. While COVID-19 is spread by proximity to someone coughing or sneezing, the hantavirus is transmitted between people who are in close contact for long periods of time. It os typically diagnosed with blood tests performed at special labs.
In addition, Hantavirus is not a new disease. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Protection has been tracking it since 1993, with the latest data showing 890 cases in the United States from 1993 to 2023. The current outbreak was caused by the Andes virus, which can sometimes spread from person to person through close contact.
Although there is no current specific treatment, Rodent control is the primary strategy for preventing hantavirus. The most serious form of hantavirus is hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a condition that affects the lungs and can become life‑threatening. Early identification of this disease can increase chances of health, survival and recovery. Additionally it is also very important to clean up after any animal to prevent rodent infestations. Make sure to follow these precautions to stay safe.
