90-Second Read: What we know about the Hantavirus outbreak

The incubation period for Hantavirus is one to eight weeks," says Kari Debbink, a teaching professor in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology. The maritime setting makes this outbreak unusual: Unlike norovirus or foodborne illnesses, "Hantavirus is not normally found on cruise ships," Debbink says. Health officials in South Africa are tracing dozens of individuals who may have encountered infected cruise passengers and have identified 62 potential contacts; of those, 42 have been located and tested negative for Hantavirus. The virus, and how it spread on a cruise ship, is raising questions though the World Health Organization says the risk to the public is low You are using an outdated browser. Exposure to Hantavirus doesn't always lead to illness, and many people who do become sick recover with supportive care, Klein told.

Preventing Hantavirus infection involves avoiding contact with rodents and their droppings by sealing entry points, storing food securely, and safely controlling infestations without disturbing contaminated materials. The WHO is "currently working to answer many of the unanswered questions about where and how those who became ill were exposed to the virus," says Debbink. On May 6, Mónica García Gómez, Spain's health minister, said the Hondius is heading to Tenerife, where passengers will be allowed to disembark. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience. This is not the next COVID, but it is a serious infectious disease," Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO's chief of Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention told the Associated Press.

The World Health Organization has stressed that the risk to the public is low. Most people will never be exposed to this." Still, the virus, and how it spread on a cruise ship, is raising questions. The health ministry said in a report that the remaining 20 individuals are still being traced, and some may have already traveled abroad. Spanish citizens and anyone showing symptoms will be quarantined at a military base in Madrid, while asymptomatic passengers from other countries will be sent home. The Andes virus is endemic to Argentina, where the cruise embarked approximately five weeks ago.

The strains found in Europe, Asia, and Africa are more often associated with hemorrhagic fever and kidney complications, generally with lower mortality rates ranging from 1% to 15%. If cleaning potentially affected areas, surfaces should be disinfected first and protective gear such as gloves and an N95 mask should be used to avoid inhaling particles, according to the CDC. This includes contact tracing, looking for evidence of mice or mouse droppings aboard the cruise ship, and viral sequencing to identify the specific strain, possible vector species, and potential transmission routes. Throughout its journey the ship made multiple stops, including mainland Antarctica, the Falklands, South Georgia, Nightingale Island, Tristan, St.