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Hantavirus infections in the United States are rare, with fewer than a total of 30 cases reported each year. This disease, known as the Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), spreads to humans through inhalation of the virus from the urine, droppings or saliva of infected rodents. Since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention started monitoring hantavirus disease in 1993, a total of 857 cases have been recorded. About a third of these cases have ended in death. New Mexico has the highest number of hantavirus cases, with 126 reported from 1993 to 2023. Colorado follows with 120 cases, and Arizona has 91.Hantavirus disease varies by the type of virus and geographical location. According to the World Health Organization, hantavirus infections in the Americas have been known to lead to hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), a rapidly progressive condition affecting the lungs and heart. Symptoms include fatigue, fever and muscle aches. Some people also experience headaches, dizziness, chills and abdominal problems such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. If left untreated, other symptoms may appear, including coughing and shortness of breath.The type of hantavirus that led to three deaths on the MV Hondas cruise ship is the Andes virus. The Andes virus is spread by rodents in South America and is the only type of hantavirus known to spread person-to-person. This includes direct physical contact, prolonged time spent in close or enclosed spaces and exposure to the sick person’s body fluids, according to the WHO.Three people — a Dutch couple and a German national — have died since the MV Hondas cruise ship departed Argentina last month.U.S. health officials are closely monitoring American travelers in the vessel who are returning home. Global health officials say the risk of a widespread outbreak remains low.
Hantavirus infections in the United States are rare, with fewer than a total of 30 cases reported each year. This disease, known as the Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), spreads to humans through inhalation of the virus from the urine, droppings or saliva of infected rodents.
Since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention started monitoring hantavirus disease in 1993, a total of 857 cases have been recorded. About a third of these cases have ended in death.
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New Mexico has the highest number of hantavirus cases, with 126 reported from 1993 to 2023. Colorado follows with 120 cases, and Arizona has 91.
Hantavirus disease varies by the type of virus and geographical location. According to the World Health Organization, hantavirus infections in the Americas have been known to lead to hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), a rapidly progressive condition affecting the lungs and heart.
Symptoms include fatigue, fever and muscle aches. Some people also experience headaches, dizziness, chills and abdominal problems such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. If left untreated, other symptoms may appear, including coughing and shortness of breath.
The type of hantavirus that led to three deaths on the MV Hondas cruise ship is the Andes virus. The Andes virus is spread by rodents in South America and is the only type of hantavirus known to spread person-to-person. This includes direct physical contact, prolonged time spent in close or enclosed spaces and exposure to the sick person’s body fluids, according to the WHO.
Three people — a Dutch couple and a German national — have died since the MV Hondas cruise ship departed Argentina last month.
U.S. health officials are closely monitoring American travelers in the vessel who are returning home. Global health officials say the risk of a widespread outbreak remains low.
