On social networks, the conversation about hantavirus cases has begun to gain importance after an outbreak was confirmed on the Antarctic expedition cruise ship MV Hondiusa contagion that health professionals seek to clarify to determine which strain it belongs to.
So far, the deaths of three passengers and two confirmed cases have been reported, while others remain under suspicion. The hantavirus, explains Dr. Óscar Donis, head of the Epidemiology Section of the Department of Preventive Medicine of the Guatemalan Institute of Social Security (IGSS), is a group of viruses with characteristics capable of affecting humans and producing diseases that can cause death.
The doctor explains that transmission occurs mainly by inhaling particles contaminated with urine, saliva or rodent feces, as well as by contact with these secretions and even by bites, although the latter is rare.
This virus is not new, but has been around for years. Iris Cazali, infectious disease doctor and head of the Infectious Diseases Unit at Roosevelt Hospital, explains that there is a variant that can be transmitted from human to human. The doctor adds that this was discovered in 1996.
The infectologist highlights that the strain associated with this type of transmission is the Andes variant (ANDV), of which outbreaks have been documented, which led to studying its transmission between 2018 and 2019.
Outside of the Andes strain, Nancy Sandoval, infectologist and vice president of the Pan American Association of Infectious Diseases, explains that other outbreaks are not spread between people, but are transmitted exclusively from the rodent to humans, so a person sick with hantavirus does not represent a risk of contagion for those around them.
However, he highlights that if the patient has the Andes strain he can transmit it to other people, although he clarifies that it does not happen in the same way as with covid-19.
“There is a scientifically documented exception with a proven ability to be transmitted from person to person and it becomes clinically relevant now because it is the same one that has been documented in the cases of the MV ship Hondius: the Andes strain, which circulates in Argentina and Chile and is related to transmission through close and prolonged contact with an infected patient. This occurs mainly through respiratory secretions,” highlights Sandoval.
Dr. Óscar Donis points out that human-to-human transmission is much more limited and has been documented in few outbreaks throughout the history of this strain. The doctor agrees that the strain associated with this type of contagion is the Andes variant, detected mainly in Argentina and Chile.
Given the misinformation and fears spread on social networks, Donis clarifies that, although this variant can be transmitted between people, it only occurs under very specific conditions. It is not comparable to covid-19.
How is the strain of hantavirus called Andes spread?
For transmission to occur, there must be very close and prolonged contact, as well as direct contact with respiratory secretions, especially saliva and other body fluids, the doctor highlighted.
Typically, infections of this strain occur within family units, couples or health personnel with constant and close contact with infected patients.
“It is important to clarify that it is not a transmission mechanism as efficient as that of covid-19. In the case of coronavirus, it was enough to be close to an infected person. Hantavirus requires much more specific contact,” emphasizes Óscar Donis.
Close contact with a person infected with the Andes variant, especially with their respiratory secretions, can facilitate contagion, “similar to how influenza is spread, but much less efficiently,” says Sandoval.
From scientific research, the infectious disease specialist explains that studies in the Southern Cone have recorded family outbreaks and cases in health personnel without adequate protection. “In the current MV cruise outbreak Hondiuswhich set sail from Ushuaia—an endemic area of the Andes strain—…”, reports the doctor.
Nearly 40 cruise passengers exposed to a deadly virus may have already scattered across the globe — as authorities scramble to track them down.
Dozens left the MV Hondius ship without contact tracing after a hantavirus outbreak that’s already killed at least three people.
The… pic.twitter.com/gXEKtgNyDY
—Fox News (@FoxNews) May 7, 2026
Media like The Country They highlight that at least 38 types of viruses within the hantavirus family are known worldwide, of which 24 cause diseases in humans. Likewise, they point out that this is the most dangerous strain and has one of the highest mortality rates.
Finally, Sandoval highlights that confirming the exact serotype within the cruise was key, precisely because it completely changes the level of risk for the 149 people still on board, which will help health personnel to proceed.
Read more: “This is not coronavirus”: What the WHO says about the hantavirus and whether it can become a pandemic
How to protect yourself from hantavirus?
Prevention begins with environmental control and reducing the presence of rodents, highlights Donis. Although it was previously considered that only rodents in rural areas could transmit it, the doctor explains that the type of rodent responsible for this virus could also live in urban drains.
Keeping homes clean and ventilated, as well as using masks and gloves when cleaning closed spaces where rodents may be present, is essential, since during cleaning microparticles contaminated with urine or secretions may rise.
In the fight against this disease, Cazali highlights that one of the main problems is that there is no specific treatment or preventive vaccine, so detecting it early is essential. Management is supportive, mainly to improve respiratory function, he added.