hantavirus cruise canary islands deaths

Hantavirus deaths on cruise ship heading to Canary Islands

Three dead in suspected hantavirus outbreak on cruise to Canary Islands

Hantavirus has returned to the headlines after three people died on a cruise ship that departed from Argentina bound for the Canary Islands. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed it has launched an investigation to verify whether this is an outbreak of hantavirus and to determine its scale through epidemiological studies.

What is hantavirus and how is it spread?

Hantavirus is not a new disease; it has been known for decades. Depending on the strain, it can cause anything from kidney problems to severe respiratory issues. The primary route of transmission is through contact with infected rodents or their secretions. The virus can be found in the urine, droppings, or saliva of these animals.

The risk is particularly high when these dried remains turn into dust that can be inhaled. One of the most common ways of becoming infected is by breathing in contaminated air while cleaning enclosed spaces where mice have been present. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), transmission can also occur by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the face.

Human-to-human transmission is very rare. In the vast majority of cases, the source is contact with infected rodents, although person-to-person infections have been documented.

Recognising the symptoms

The initial symptoms can easily be mistaken for flu. The most common include fever, muscle aches, fatigue, chills, headache, nausea, and vomiting. In some patients, the disease progresses rapidly and affects the respiratory system, leading to coughing, shortness of breath, and a feeling of pressure in the chest.

The most severe form of the illness is hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which can cause fluid buildup in the lungs and prove fatal. Although hantavirus is a rare disease, its progression can be swift and dangerous.

Mortality rates and treatment

Mortality rates vary depending on the type of virus. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome can have a mortality rate of nearly 35%, while haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome has lower rates, ranging between 1% and 15%.

There is no specific treatment to cure the infection. However, receiving medical attention promptly significantly increases the chances of surviving the disease.

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