90-Second Read: Before you board: A health expert’s guide to staying well on cruises

In the wake of a Hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, JMU expert Sojib Zaman explains what travelers should be concerned about this summer. Sojib Zaman, a professor of health sciences with more than a decade of experience studying infectious and chronic diseases, shares what passengers should and should not worry about this summer. Should travelers be concerned about Hantavirus or other viruses when booking cruises this summer? With news of Hantavirus linked to a recent Antarctic cruise, travelers may be wondering about the risk of infectious diseases at sea.

What infectious diseases are most reported on cruise ships? What basic health precautions should travelers follow this summer, domestically or internationally? Finally, some people overlook basic health habits such as sleep, hydration and nutrition. At this point, Hantavirus is not something cruise travelers should be particularly concerned about.

These infections are more relevant to cruise travel because they spread efficiently in closed and shared environments. Cruise ships bring together people from many regions, increasing the risk of exposure to circulating viruses. There are several simple and effective steps travelers can take while on a cruise: Beyond cruises, how significant is the risk of exposure while flying or visiting crowded destinations? The key point is that the risk of getting the Hantavirus comes from crowding and contact, not from the specific mode of travel.

These include norovirus, seasonal respiratory viruses, COVID-19, and influenza. Air travel itself is often safe in terms of air filtration, but the overall travel experience includes time in lines, boarding areas, and crowded terminals where exposure can occur. Airplanes, airports, public transportation, concerts and popular tourist sites all bring people into shared airspace and high-contact environments.