GENEVA (FN), The World Health Organization (WHO) says the global risk of hantavirus remains low, despite recent cases reported aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic. The rodent-borne virus, which can cause severe respiratory and kidney complications, has sparked concern among travelers and health officials, but WHO emphasized that outbreaks are rare and usually localized.
Hantaviruses are carried by rodents such as mice and rats, with humans infected through contact with rodent urine, droppings, saliva, or bites. The virus can cause two major illnesses: Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), found in the Americas and often fatal, and Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS), found in Europe and Asia, which affects the kidneys and blood vessels. Human-to-human transmission is extremely rare, documented only for the Andes virus in South America.
Countries with documented cases include the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Paraguay in the Americas; China and South Korea in Asia; and Finland, Sweden, and Germany in Europe. Thousands of HFRS cases are reported annually in Asia and Europe, while hundreds of HPS cases occur in the Americas. Africa has seen only rare suspected cases, often linked to international travel.
The health impact can be severe. Symptoms range from fever, muscle aches, and headaches to respiratory distress or kidney failure. Fatality rates vary from 20–40% for HPS in South America to 5–15% for severe HFRS in Asia and Europe. There is no specific antiviral cure, with treatment relying on supportive care such as oxygen therapy and dialysis.
Economically, outbreaks strain healthcare systems, particularly in rural areas where intensive care facilities are limited. Farmers and communities face increased costs for rodent control, while tourism and travel industries can suffer disruptions, as seen in the recent cruise ship incident. Public anxiety has also grown, with comparisons to COVID-19 fueling concern, though WHO stresses hantavirus does not spread the same way and poses far lower global risk.
WHO officials say prevention depends on rodent control, safe cleaning of droppings, and proper food storage. While vigilance is needed in rodent-prone regions, the organization insists hantavirus is not a pandemic-level threat.
