Concerns have emerged following a cluster of suspected hantavirus cases aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic, where three deaths have been reported. The incident has raised questions about how dangerous and contagious the virus may be.
However, Giorgos Pappas, an internal medicine specialist and researcher, has sought to clarify the situation, stressing that current data does not point to the risk of a new pandemic.
Transmission electron micrograph of Sin Nombre virus. Transmission electron micrograph of Sin Nombre virus. Hantavirus. Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
What is hantavirus and how it spreads
Hantavirus refers to a group of viruses with different geographic distributions that can cause severe illness or even death. Common symptoms include fever, bleeding and damage to blood vessel lining. Some strains primarily affect the kidneys, while others lead to respiratory failure, with mortality rates reaching up to 45%.
The virus is typically found in nature, mainly in rodents that carry it without becoming ill. Humans can become infected through contact with rodent secretions or contaminated environments.
Human-to-human transmission is rare. An exception is the Andes virus, found in Latin America, which can spread through very close contact, such as kissing or sexual activity.
What happened on the cruise ship
According to the World Health Organization, the ship departed from Argentina on April 1 with 88 passengers and 49 crew members. The first case developed severe illness and died within days, suggesting infection occurred before the voyage.
Around 20 days later, additional cases appeared, including individuals who had close contact with the initial patient. So far, seven suspected cases and three deaths have been reported.
Pappas suggests the outbreak likely involves the Andes virus, based on the ship’s origin and the presence of respiratory symptoms. Health authorities are currently tracing contacts and note that about 40 days of monitoring from the last case are required before the situation can be considered under control.
Presence in Europe and Greece
Cases of hantavirus are relatively rare in Greece, with one to three reported annually, and four cases recorded in 2021. In contrast, countries such as Germany and Finland report hundreds of cases each year. In the past, dozens of infections had been identified in specific regions of Greece.
Prevention and outlook
There is no specific treatment or vaccine for hantavirus. Prevention relies on avoiding exposure to rodent habitats and maintaining proper hygiene.
According to Pappas, if appropriate isolation measures are followed, there is no indication that the virus will spread to Greece. He added that the evolution of the situation will depend on how the cluster develops in the coming weeks, while cautioning against overreaction to early reports.
