Hantavirus sparks pandemic fears despite limited evidence of human transmission

Illustration of a hantavirus, a rodent-borne virus that causes flu-like symptoms that eventually cause the lungs to fill with fluid, making breathing difficult.[AFP]

The recent hantavirus outbreak has drawn attention from both medical experts and the general public worldwide, with growing questions over whether the respiratory illness could trigger a pandemic similar to COVID-19.

Hantaviruses are zoonotic viruses that naturally infect rodents such as rats and mice and are occasionally transmitted to humans. Infection in humans can result in severe illness and, in some cases, death, although the diseases vary depending on the type of virus and geographical location.

People become infected through contact with the urine, droppings or saliva of infected rodents, often by inhaling contaminated dust in poorly ventilated or enclosed spaces.

In America, hantavirus infection has been known to cause hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), a rapidly progressive condition affecting the lungs and heart. In Europe and Asia, hantaviruses are associated with haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), which primarily affects the kidneys and blood vessels. The virus was first isolated in 1978 near the Hantaan River in South Korea following a major outbreak of haemorrhagic fever among United Nations troops.

In May 2026, international health agencies began monitoring a hantavirus cluster linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius after reports of infections emerged during an expedition that departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1 before later docking at Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Canary Islands, Spain.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has clarified that person-to-person transmission has not been documented in most parts of the world. This means infections are typically linked to exposure to rodents rather than spread between people. According to the WHO, symptoms can appear between one and eight weeks after exposure, depending on the type of virus involved.

Early symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches and gastrointestinal signs such as abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.

Preventing hantavirus infection depends primarily on reducing contact between people and rodents through several effective measures. These include keeping homes and workplaces clean, sealing openings that allow rodents to enter buildings, storing food securely, using safe cleaning practices in rodent-contaminated areas, avoiding dry sweeping or vacuuming rodent droppings, dampening contaminated areas before cleaning and strengthening hand hygiene practices.  

However, during outbreaks or when cases are suspected, early identification and isolation of patients, monitoring of close contacts and the application of standard infection-prevention measures are important in limiting further spread.

Early diagnosis of hantavirus infection can be challenging because its initial symptoms are similar to those of other febrile or respiratory illnesses, including influenza, COVID-19, viral pneumonia, leptospirosis, dengue and sepsis.

A careful patient history is therefore essential, with particular attention given to possible rodent exposure, occupational and environmental risks, travel history and contact with known cases in areas where hantaviruses are present.

Although there is no specific treatment that cures hantavirus diseases, early supportive medical care is essential in improving survival rates. Treatment mainly focuses on close clinical monitoring and the management of respiratory, cardiac and kidney complications.

While the recent outbreak has revived memories of COVID-19, health officials insist that hantavirus and COVID-19 are very different diseases.