Explained: What is Hantavirus? Symptoms, Spread and Why Experts Say It’s Not Like COVID

Udaipur, May 9, 2026: The world's health authorities are focusing certain amount of energy on tracing the dozens of individuals who disembarked from the Dutch cruise ship, where the deadly Hantavirus was reported. Three deaths among eight infections have been confirmed as per media reports. Two Indians, members of the crew aboard the MV Hondius were reported infected.

The infections were reported while the cruise ship was travelling from South America towards Africa. Health experts have flagged the situation as non-alarming as the infection, unlike COVID, does not spread as easily and mostly requires prolonged exposure. ICMR Director Dr Naveen Kumar, in an interview with Firstpost said that these cases are isolated and pose no immediate threat to India. He told PTI that there is no evidence of community spread. Another scientist Dr Reddy told PTI that the two Indian crew members are being monitored outside the country and there are no reported infections in India. Dr Lalit Kant of ICMR added that the doctors have confirmed that the virus has been contained on the ship and is unlikely to spread beyond it.

How Does it Spread

Dr. Reddy, in an interaction with FirstPost explained that the spread mostly has been seen from animal to man. The droppings of rodents become aerosolised and can be inhaled by humans. They can also be infected if the food that is eaten is contaminated or the hand touched the contaminated object and then touches the mouth.

Not Like COVID

Dr. Bhargava, former DG of ICMR said that this virus is not as contagious as COVID. He added that Hantavirus does not spread from person to person generally. Transmission requires very close contact, he added, and is mostly from droplets. Dr Khilnani, Chairman of PSRI added that thi svirus can affect lungs and kidneys and in severe infections, mortality can reach 30%-50%.

What is Advised

Health experts have advised to keep homes and office free of rodents and use wet cleaning techniques instead of dry sweeping in possible contaminated areas as the infected particles can become air-borne during cleaning.

What are the Symptoms

Doctors say that patients might develop COVID like symptoms initially. Fever, body ache, malaise and mild respiratory symptoms may lead to deterioration in the patients condition and then patients may need intensive care.

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