What to know about hantavirus, the illness suspected in a cruise ship outbreak that has killed 3 people
Summary
A cruise ship off the coast of West Africa is experiencing an outbreak of hantavirus, an illness spread mostly by rodents, which has killed three people. Health officials are investigating the outbreak and conducting tests to learn more about the virus on the ship.Key Facts
- Hantavirus comes from rodents and can spread through contact with their urine, saliva, or droppings, especially when these particles become airborne.
- The virus can sometimes spread directly between people, but this is rare.
- Hantavirus causes two main illnesses: hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (lung illness) and hemorrhagic fever with kidney problems.
- Symptoms often start like the flu, with fever, chills, and muscle aches, but can get worse quickly, causing fluid in the lungs or kidney failure.
- Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome has a death rate of about 35%, while hemorrhagic fever with kidney issues has a death rate between 1% and 15%.
- There is no cure or specific treatment, but early medical care helps improve survival chances.
- The virus first gained attention in the U.S. after a 1993 outbreak in the Four Corners region (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah).
- To avoid hantavirus, people should limit contact with rodents, use gloves, and clean rodent droppings with bleach solutions in well-ventilated areas.
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