Is Hantavirus An Emerging Threat? What You Need To Know

Suspected hantavirus cases on a cruise ship and a New Mexico death have renewed concern about this rare rodent-borne infection.

Hantavirus spreads mainly through contact with infected rodent urine, droppings, or saliva, especially from deer mice in the U.S.

The virus is uncommon but can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which may worsen quickly and has a high death rate.

There is no specific antiviral treatment; care is supportive, and early diagnosis can be difficult because symptoms resemble other illnesses.

Human-to-human transmission is rare, and the disease is most associated with the U.S. Four Corners region and the Andes virus in South America.