The cases of hantavirus on board the cruise ship "MV Hondius" have raised widespread health concerns, after the outbreak resulted in confirmed deaths and infections.
Although hantaviruses are usually transmitted through infected rodents, the strain discovered on board the ship has previously been recorded as having rare human-to-human transmission, which has prompted health authorities to tighten prevention and monitoring measures.
The World Health Organization explains that the infection is often transmitted through contact with the urine, feces, or saliva of infected rodents, especially in poorly ventilated or rodent-infested areas. Workers in agriculture and forestry may also be exposed to it during their work.
The organization recommended following a number of preventive measures, most notably:
Keeping homes and workplaces clean.
Seal any openings that allow rodents to enter buildings.
Storing food in safe ways.
Follow safe cleaning methods in areas infested with rodents.
Avoid sweeping or vacuuming rodent droppings while they are dry.
Moisten the contaminated areas before cleaning them.
Promote hand hygiene practices.
The organization confirmed that human-to-human transmission of the virus usually requires close and prolonged contact, and is often recorded among members of the same family or close partners during the early stages of the disease.
Symptoms of hantavirus may take several weeks to appear after exposure, often beginning with flu-like or respiratory symptoms. However, in some cases, the disease can progress rapidly, causing fluid buildup in the lungs, bleeding disorders, or kidney failure, depending on the viral strain.
