What is hantavirus, the disease that has killed 3 cruise ship passengers? |
Three people have died after a suspected outbreak of hantavirus on a cruise ship in the middle of the Atlantic ocean. At least one other passenger is in intensive care in South Africa.
The World Health Organization announced the deaths in a social media statement on Monday, along with one confirmed case of the rare disease. Authorities are investigating another five suspected cases among passengers travelling on the MV Hondius.
So, what is hantavirus? And why can it be so deadly?
As the investigation unfolds, here’s what we know.
Hantavirus is a rare but severe respiratory illness that can cause severe bleeding, fever and even death.
The virus is spread by rodents, such as mice and rats, mainly through the urine and droppings of infected animals.
Hantavirus does not typically spread from person to person. However, in rare cases it may spread between people.
Globally, there are an estimated 150,000 to 200,000 cases of hantavirus each year.
It is less contagious than airborne viruses such as COVID and influenza, as it typically........