90-Second Read: What is Hantavirus? Symptoms, spread and risk explained

The World Health Organization is monitoring a small cluster of rare Hantavirus cases linked to a cruise ship, but health experts say the risk to the public remains low. Currently, the World Health Organization (WHO) is monitoring a cluster of cruise ship passengers aboard the MV Hondius affected by Hantavirus, specifically a rare strain known as the Andes virus. As of the end of 2023, 890 Hantavirus disease cases had been reported in the United States since national surveillance began in 1993. As of May 7, WHO identified eight confirmed Hantavirus cases, including three deaths. The Andes virus, found primarily in South America, has been reported to spread between people who have close contact with someone who is ill.

Early symptoms of Hantavirus resemble a cold or flu, and some patients may improve at first, making this virus difficult to diagnose. Currently, there is no treatment for Hantavirus or the Andes virus-specific strain. If you think you may have been exposed to the Andes virus and are experiencing symptoms, you should contact a healthcare provider immediately. Learning how to properly treat any area rodents that may have been present is an important step in preventing any type of infection. Following the CDC's guidance for sealing gaps or holes, cleaning your space and using personal protective equipment can help you reduce your exposure and stay safe.

Experts from WHO, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the University of Kentucky have categorized this as a low risk to the public, but there are still ways you can stay safe. These viruses are typically spread through exposure to rodents, particularly deer mice and white footed mice in Kentucky, most commonly through rodent droppings, urine or saliva while cleaning enclosed or dusty spaces. Symptoms usually begin one to eight weeks after contact with an infected rodent or exposure to contaminated materials. In Europe and Asia, the virus is often associated with more kidney-related symptoms. As the state's flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth.

The CDC's steps for protecting yourself and your family from HPS are as follows. It's all made possible by our people, visionaries, disruptors and pioneers, who make up 200 academic programs, a $1.02 billion research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders, placing students at the heart of everything we do, and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and healthcare. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds.