90-Second Read: What is Hantavirus, and How Worried Should We Be?

The specific strain of the virus afflicting the Hondius passengers is labeled the Andes Hantavirus, the only strain transmitted to humans. In fact, officials have been quick to disillusion Hantavirus from the COVID scenario. Amongst Washington residents, there are three potential cases of Hantavirus being monitored. Hantavirus is the name of the disease that is spreading across the world.

Hantavirus presents in two different ways : Afflicted individuals may be affected by symptoms of Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). Hantavirus is transmitted between humans through close contact, and symptoms typically appear 4-42 days after initial exposure. For the most part, Hantavirus is contained to mice, rats and other rodents. The disease's origins started out innocuously, aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship, where passengers started complaining to ship doctors of fever and chills.

This affects the lungs and can cause symptoms like fatigue, fever, and muscle aches, and in some cases, headaches, dizziness, chills and abdominal problems. HFRS affects the kidneys, with symptoms including intense headaches, back and abdominal pain, fever/chills, kidney failure and a lack of blood flow. The remaining 147 people, 87 passengers and 60 crew members, sailed to the Canary islands and are being transported by WHO to eight different countries, namely, the U.S., Canada, UK, Netherlands, France, Ireland, Spain and Turkey. The CDC advises avoiding the spread of disease between people by: Right now, there isn't much to do besides sit tight and wait for new information to be released.

So far we know that 18 passengers from aboard the Hondius arrived in the United States where they are now being kept at a specialized facility in Nebraska. Unfortunately, 32 passengers disembarked from the cruise on April 24th and traveled to different countries before the outbreak was properly realized. Investigations are underway and six individuals were recognized to be from the US.