Could hantavirus spread on a cruise ship? Experts weigh risks after deadly outbreak
Historically, hantavirus has been “far less transmissible” than COVID-19, the doctor said. “Unless that changes with a new mutant strain, the risk remains very low to the public.”
Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, confirmed that hantavirus almost always requires a rodent vector to spread, though rare cases can occur through contact with contaminated materials or bites.
Is the public at risk?
The experts agreed that the risk to the wider public is low. Siegel reiterated that people should “not be very concerned.”
Glanville noted that it’s still unclear whether the cluster came from human-to-human transmission – “although given a potential Andes strain origin, that is a risk.”
Although hantavirus is usually transmitted through contact with infected rodent droppings, experts say the close quarters of the vessel could have amplified the risk. (iStock)
“Even if it’s an Andes strain, historically transmission human-to-human is inefficient,” he told Fox News Digital. “However, it is always possible that a novel mutant can arise that is able to propagate more easily between humans.”
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If any new transmission cases are found from contacts who were not on the ship, the situation would become much more concerning, according to Glanville.
“Hantavirus can be 30% to 50% lethal, has a long silent incubation period of one to six weeks, and has the potential for droplet transmission,” he warned.
Symptoms to watch for
Experts say symptoms typically begin with fever, muscle aches, fatigue and headaches, followed by cough, shortness of breath and, in severe cases, fluid buildup in the lungs.
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These symptoms can mimic flu-like illness, according to Horn.
“From there, it can progress to having trouble breathing, needing oxygen and requiring hospitalization,” she told Fox News Digital. “Some people can have gastrointestinal issues as well, such as vomiting and diarrhea.”
“It can affect the heart, lungs and kidneys, causing all of them not to work appropriately.”
Article source: https://www.foxnews.com/health/could-hantavirus-spread-cruise-ship-experts-weigh-risks-deadly-outbreak