90-Second Read: Public health hot topic: Hantavirus

Contributed graphic by Caitlin Rivers; CDC; Associated Press Many people are hearing about Hantavirus, maybe for the first time, because of a cruise outbreak or because actor Gene Hackman's wife died from Hantavirus in 2025, which has increased public attention to the disease. On May 2, a cruise ship reported to the World Health Organization a cluster of passengers with severe respiratory illness onboard. Summer travelers can feel reassured that there is currently no recommendation from U.S. or international health authorities to cancel or change travel plans because of Hantavirus.

There are three King County residents connected to the cruise ship, and all are under public health monitoring. These residents remain asymptomatic and are monitoring for symptoms at home in coordination with Public Health, Seattle & King County. Although uncommon, limited human-to-human transmission of HPS due to the Andes Hantavirus strain has been reported in community settings involving close and prolonged contact.

Public health experts have deemed the overall risk as very low. To learn how to wet clean safely, the Department of Health has instructions on its website (https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-02/420569-SafelyCleaningAfterRodents-Hantavirus-Poster-English.pdf). Hantavirus is a rare viral disease usually spread through contact with infected rodents or their urine, droppings or saliva.