Cruise ship hantavirus patients arrive in Europe for treatment

AP News ^ | May 6, 2026 | BRIDGET BROWN, DREW CALLISTER and NELL CLARK

[MinorityRepublican]

An infection can rapidly progress and become life-threatening. Experts say it can start with symptoms including fever, chills, muscle aches and maybe a headache — much like the flu.

Symptoms of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome usually show between one to six weeks, or more, after contact with an infected rodent. As the infection progresses, patients might experience tightness in the chest as the lungs fill with fluid.

The other syndrome caused by hantavirus — known as hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, which can cause bleeding, high fever, and kidney failure — usually develops within a week or two after exposure.

Death rates vary by which hantavirus causes the illness. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is fatal in about 35% of people infected, while the death rate for hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome varies from 1% to 15% of patients, according to the CDC.

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TOPICS: Health/Medicine; Science
KEYWORDS: hantavirus; plagueship

[TheThirdRuffian]

We deal with this a fair amount in NM.

They think wiped out certain Indian tribes.

In fact, it may be the mysterious unknown plague that wiped out much of North America shortly before Europeans arrived.

[catnipman]

colorado is second only to NM in cumulative reported hantavirus infections ... that’s one of the illnesses that scares the heck out of me and my barn is full of mouse droppings ...

[CedarDave]

Hantaviruses are spread by rodents' body fluids and excrement. People mostly contract hantavirus by breathing in the virus. Most hantaviruses found in North, Central, and South America can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). Andes virus, which is found in South America, has reportedly had person-to-person transmission.

Different hantaviruses are found in the United States. Most of these cause HPS, which primarily affects the lungs. Non-HPS hantavirus infection can also occur, where patients experience non-specific viral symptoms, but no cardiopulmonary symptoms. The hantaviruses that are found throughout the United States are not known to spread between people.

HPS initially causes flu-like symptoms that can progress to more severe illness where people have trouble breathing. It's important for people with HPS to begin treatment as early as possible to improve their chances of recovery. HPS is fatal in nearly 4 in 10 people who are infected.
https://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/hcp/clinical-overview/hps.html

The article identifies it as the Andes virus, which reportedly can spread person to person.

See this link for an earlier discussion:
MV Hondius cruise ship at center of suspected deadly hantavirus outbreak refused permission to dock

[The Duke]

WHAT_COULD_GO_WRONG_PING!

[CedarDave]

First, spray the droppings area with a 10% bleach solution, then get an outdoor cat.

Deer mice are though to be the primary carriers but a recent study at UNM in ABQ "found that more than 30 species of rodent and other small mammals endemic to the Southwest actually carry the virus, including ground squirrels, chipmunks, gophers, rats and even house mice" (UNM Researchers Find Live Hantavirus is Carried in More Than 30 New Mexico Small Mammal Species ).

So if that's the case why don't more people come down with the disease here? That question, according to the study, remains unanswered.

[CedarDave]

First, spray the droppings area with a 10% bleach solution, then get an outdoor cat.

Deer mice are though to be the primary carriers but a recent study at UNM in ABQ "found that more than 30 species of rodent and other small mammals endemic to the Southwest actually carry the virus, including ground squirrels, chipmunks, gophers, rats and even house mice" (UNM Researchers Find Live Hantavirus is Carried in More Than 30 New Mexico Small Mammal Species ).

So if that's the case why don't more people come down with the disease here? That question, according to the study, remains unanswered.

[TheThirdRuffian]

It’s always some hoarder that dies of it around here.

[OldHarbor]

Decades ago I recall reading an article about someone who had caught it after either camping in or exploring a cave somewhere out West.

[Bigg Red]

Oh, no, that cannot be; it is completely the fault of the evil Europeans. /s

[Governor Dinwiddie]

Prairie dogs too.

[Governor Dinwiddie]

Yes. Campsites and campgrounds often have infestations of small rodents.

[usafa92]

Gene Hackman’s wife died of hantavirus.

[MinorityRepublican]

People in at Least 3 US States Being Monitored for Potential Hantavirus After Being on Dutch Cruise Ship, NYT Reports