90-Second Read: Should Rhode Islanders worry about Hantavirus? Experts say no.

Hantavirus is a serious disease with a high mortality rate, but it's rare, and Rhode Island has had just one known case of the disease. Hantavirus has been in the news a lot lately following an outbreak on the cruise ship MV Hondius. As of the end of 2023, there were 890 cases of Hantavirus disease reported in the United States since surveillance began in 1993, according to the CDC. The Rhode Island Department of Health and public health authorities worldwide are monitoring the situation and receiving regular updates from the CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO), Beardsworth said.

The outcome of five cases, including Rhode Island's, is unknown, according to the CDC. Hantaviruses in different parts of the world can cause different types of illnesses, according to the World Health Organization. In the Americas, Hantaviruses can cause Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), a severe respiratory illness, with a case fatality rate of up to 50%, the World Health Organization says. The Dutch ship was carrying some 150 crew members and passengers, of some 23 nationalities.

Hantavirus is a family of viruses found in different parts of the world, including North America, primarily in the desert Southwest, Mermel said. An autopsy showed that Arakawa had died of Hantavirus around Feb. Humans typically contract Hantavirus by breathing in aerosolized saliva, urine or feces from infected rodents, according to Mermel. For example, Mermel said, someone could catch Hantavirus by sweeping up an area, like a cabin, that had been occupied by mice or rats.

11, and Hackman, suffering from Alzheimer's and heart disease, died about a week later. New Mexico had the most cases, at 129, followed by Colorado, 121, and Arizona, 92, according to the CDC. Of the 890 cases nationwide, 309 patients died and 576 survived, according to the CDC.