Suspected hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship under investigation: risk for Europeans very low

Hantavirus infection has been laboratory-confirmed in at least one person, and additional investigations are ongoing, including further laboratory testing and exposure assessments. Two additional people – both crew members – are experiencing respiratory symptoms and fever.

What this means for Europe

At present, the risk to the general population in Europe from this outbreak is considered very low, given that appropriate infection prevention and control measures are being implemented on board and that hantaviruses are not easily spread between people.

Hantaviruses are viruses that can spread from animals to humans, most often when people inhale dust or tiny particles stirred up from infected rodents’ urine, droppings, or saliva, particularly in enclosed or poorly ventilated places. In the Americas, some hantaviruses can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a severe disease characterised by fever and general symptoms followed by rapid respiratory distress and shock.

Most hantaviruses do not transmit from person to person. The exception is Andes virus, reported mainly in parts of South America and which has been shown to spread between people, typically through close and prolonged contact. It is not yet known whether transmission in the current outbreak occurred through environmental exposure or between individuals, and the specific hantavirus involved has not yet been identified.

Measures are being implemented on board the ship to reduce the risk of further infections among passengers and crew. Port and health authorities are advised to apply appropriate infection prevention and control measures, including the use of personal protective equipment when caring for people with suspected infection.

Several aspects of this outbreak are still under investigation, including defining the virus species involved, the origin of infection, the extent of spread among passengers and crew, and whether transmission between people has occurred.

Public health response

ECDC is closely monitoring the situation and is in contact with national public health authorities and the World Health Organization to assess the available epidemiological information and potential implications for Europe. 

ECDC will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.