When one passenger aboard a cruise ship fell ill, it was initially attributed to natural causes. Days later, that same passenger would directly be linked to an outbreak of a disease more deadly than tuberculosis.<\/p>\n
Hantavirus<\/a> is a strain of disease usually only found in rodents, though cases are usually asymptomatic. Humans can catch it, but only after direct contact with an infected rat, and usually can\u2019t transmit it to other humans. Only one strain of the virus, known as \u201cAndes virus,\u201d allows for human to human transmission.<\/p>\n Following a lengthy incubation period, hantavirus can cause fever, fatigue, and digestive issues. Eventually, the lungs can begin to fill with fluid, causing shortness of breath in patients. Even with treatment, nearly 40% of hantavirus cases are fatal.<\/p>\n An outbreak of Hantavirus, affecting seven passengers of aboard the MV Hondius, a luxury cruise ship, was noted<\/a> by the WHO on May 4th, 2026. By the time the organization had investigated, three passengers had died, and four others were infected. Before her death, one of the passengers would disembark the cruise and take a flight to Johannesburg.<\/p>\n Onset of hantavirus symptoms can occur as late as eight weeks after exposure, so several passengers disembarked believing themselves to be healthy. Following its identification, identified passengers were tested and isolated.<\/p>\n