Hantavirus infection: How it broke out on a cruise ship on the Atlantic Ocean

The world is watching the spread of a new virus, which has apparently caused the death of three people aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean. The ship Oceanwide Expeditions, travelling from Argentina to Cape Verde, with stops also in Antarctica and the Falkland Islands, has around 150 passengers and crew on board. The suspected outbreak is believed to be due to hantavirus, a group of viruses carried by rats and mice. The World Health Organisation (WHO) said it is currently monitoring the situation. The virus generally causes two syndromes - the Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) and the Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS).

How the outbreak happened
The passengers of the ship, who departed from Argentina on March 20, had reportedly visited various remote locations in the Atlantic. One theory put forward by the health investigators is that they may have been exposed to rodent droppings or infected rats during their tour activities. It is also suspected that rodents entered the vessel through food shipments or cargo. While the virus is generally spread by rodents, the 'Andes strain' can also spread from person to person. The BBC reports that experts are checking whether there was any possibility of this spreading. At the moment, WHO and other authorities are doing epidemiological probes and virus sequencing to form a clearer picture.

HPS signs and symptoms
According to the Centres for Disease Control, the following are the main symptoms of HPS, which generally claims 38% of people who develop its signs:
a) Chills
b) Fever
c) Dizziness
d) Fatigue
e) Muscle aches
f) Abdomen issues
g) Headaches

HFRS signs
a) Fever
b) Blurred vision
c) Intense headaches
d) Nausea
e) Back, abdominal pain

Safety tips from hantavirus
a) Avoid contact with rodent droppings
b) Rodent-proof living areas
c) Use gloves while cleaning areas that potentially have rodent droppings
d) Dispose of dead rodents after spraying them with disinfectant and in sealed bags
e) When outdoors, steer clear of rodent burrows
f) Store food safely in containers
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