What is hantavirus?

• Three people have died and three others are ill following suspected cases of hantavirus infection on a cruise ship in the Atlantic, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on May 3.

• The cruise liner — operated by a Dutch company — left Argentina three weeks ago and was ultimately heading for the Canary Islands but is currently sitting off the coast of Cabo Verde in West Africa, according to reports.

• WHO is supporting the response, noting that one case of the rodent-borne disease has been confirmed so far and there are five additional suspected cases. 

• WHO is facilitating coordination between Member States and the ship’s operators for medical evacuation of two symptomatic passengers, as well as full public health risk assessment and support to the remaining passengers on board. 

• The disease gained attention in 2025 after the late actor Gene Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa, died from a hantavirus infection in New Mexico. 

Hantavirus

• Hantaviruses comprise a genus of the family Bunyaviridae.

• These viruses cause diseases like hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS).

• People get hantavirus from contact with rodents like rats and mice, especially when exposed to their urine, droppings, and saliva. It can also spread through a bite or scratch by a rodent, but this is rare.

• It is not spread from person-to-person.

• Hantavirus found in the Western Hemisphere can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). The most common hantavirus that causes HPS in the US is spread by the deer mouse.

• HPS is a severe and potentially deadly disease that affects the lungs. It can be deadly. About 38 per cent of people who develop respiratory symptoms may die from the disease.

• Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is a group of clinically similar illnesses caused by hantaviruses found mostly in Europe and Asia. However, Seoul virus, a type of hantavirus that causes HFRS, is found worldwide.

• HFRS is a severe and sometimes deadly disease that affects the kidneys.

• There is no specific treatment for hantavirus infection. Patients should receive supportive care, including rest, hydration, and treatment of symptoms.