What Is the Andes Strain of Hantavirus? Symptoms to Look Out for as Cruise Ship Hit
The WHO said three suspected patients were evacuated as investigators probe an outbreak that has killed three and sickened at least five aboard the ship.
- Health officials are investigating a hantavirus outbreak aboard the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, that has left three dead and at least five sickened, according to the Associated Press.
- Unlike other variants, the Andes strain spreads between people through extremely close, prolonged contact, distinguishing it as unique among hantaviruses in its documented human-to-human transmission capacity.
- Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, often caused by the Andes strain, carries a mortality rate of 20 to 40 percent, with symptoms progressing from fever and aches to severe breathing difficulties within four to 10 days.
- World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Wednesday that three patients suspected of having the virus were evacuated from the ship to the Netherlands, though he noted the overall public health risk remains low.
- While hantaviruses typically spread through rodent droppings, saliva, or urine, this incident on the Hondius illustrates the rare risks associated with the Andes strain's documented capacity for human-to-human transmission.
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What you should know about hantavirus
Hantavirus is making headlines following an outbreak on a cruise ship that has killed three people. The World Health Organization confirms it is the Andes strain. Dr. Lisa Barrett, an infectious disease expert in Halifax, shares her knowledge on the subject.
Why Andes virus is trending
The World Health Organization confirmed on Wednesday that the Andes strain of hantavirus was found in passengers on the cruise ship with a deadly outbreak of the virus. CNN’s Jacqueline Howard explains why this strain is particularly concerning to health authorities. Discover more videos, including live streams and exclusive storytelling, on our Watch page.
The "Andes" virus, transmissible between humans, was detected on two of the tested people present on the cruise ship MV Hondius. What is it?
A laboratory that collaborates with the World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed this Wednesday that the strain that has caused the death by hantavirus to three people on the cruise ship MV Hondius, which is anchoring in front of Cape Verde and plans to reach the Canary Islands, is that of Andes, also known as the strain of the New World. Originally from America, this is one of the two main strains of hantavirus—and of which there are few d…
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