Hantavirus has moved into the international spotlight in recent days following a cluster of cases linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius, involving passengers and crew from 23 countries. The incident has triggered a response by health authorities at European and international level, after several passengers developed severe respiratory illness and deaths were recorded. According to the World Health Organization, as of 11 May seven cases of Andes hantavirus had been confirmed among MV Hondius passengers, while the total number of cases under investigation stands at nine, with three fatalities.
The cruise ship had departed from Argentina and docked in Tenerife, where the process of disembarkation and repatriation began under special protocols. In this context, several countries introduced monitoring measures, precautionary isolation and health checks for their citizens. Greece was among them, with a Greek passenger transferred to the Attikon hospital and placed in a specially prepared ward for precautionary quarantine lasting 45 days, despite showing no symptoms, according to reports in Greek media.
Neither flu nor Covid
What, then, is hantavirus and why has this case prompted such mobilisation? Speaking to Politis, infectious disease specialist Dr Costas Constantinou explained that this is not a virus that spreads easily in the community, such as influenza or Covid‑19, but rather a group of viruses primarily linked to exposure to rodents.
“Hantavirus is a group of viruses mainly hosted in wild rodents. Humans can become infected through contact with urine, droppings or saliva of infected rodents, or by inhaling dust particles contaminated by them. In most cases, transmission does not occur from person to person, but under specific exposure conditions in environments where rodents are present or traces of their presence exist,” he said.
Dr Constantinou noted that risk is higher in places such as storerooms, abandoned buildings, rural areas, huts or accommodation that has not been ventilated or cleaned properly for a long time. “It is not simply being present in a country that creates risk, but the type of exposure. If someone enters a space with rodent droppings and attempts to clean it in a way that stirs up dust, the risk of inhaling contaminated particles increases,” he added.
A key element in the cruise ship case is the Andes strain, which has been linked to South America. “There are different hantavirus strains. The Andes virus is distinctive because rare cases of person‑to‑person transmission have been documented. This involves close and prolonged contact and does not mean that we are dealing with a virus that spreads easily or widely in the general population,” the specialist stressed.
In Cyprus, authorities have sought to reassure the public, emphasising that the risk to the general population in Europe is assessed as very low. In a statement, the Ministry of Health said the situation is being closely monitored by international and European health authorities. It added that Nicosia remains in communication and cooperation with European and international public health bodies, continuously evaluating epidemiological data and applying preparedness protocols where required. At the same time, the ministry assured that the health system remains in full readiness, both in laboratory capacity and in the management of potential cases.
Travel with caution
Although the risk to the general population is considered very low, the cruise ship incident serves as a reminder that travel health preparation concerns not only vaccines and standard preventive measures, but also accommodation conditions and environmental exposure. With the summer season approaching, greater attention is needed when travel plans include nature, rural areas, camping, hiking or accommodation that has not been used for long periods.
As Dr Constantinou explained, “risk is not determined only by the country someone travels to, but by where they stay and what they do. Travel in an urban environment is different from travel involving camping, hiking, rural stays, holiday homes or spaces where rodents may be present."
He added that travellers should be alert to signs of rodent presence, such as droppings, nests or damage to food. “They should avoid contact with rodents, dead or alive, and with droppings. Food should be stored in sealed containers, accommodation should be clean and well‑ventilated, and if someone finds signs of rodents in a place they plan to stay, they should not attempt dry sweeping that raises dust,” he said.
The method of cleaning neglected spaces is particularly important. Inhalation of contaminated dust is one of the main transmission routes, making disinfection essential before any sweeping. “If a space with possible rodent presence needs cleaning, this should be done with gloves, good ventilation and disinfectant, so that particles are not dispersed into the air. The key point is to avoid creating dust,” Dr Constantinou explained.
Finally, he stressed that travellers should seek medical advice if, after returning, they develop unexplained symptoms, especially if there was potential rodent exposure or time spent in areas with poor hygiene conditions. “Fever, extreme fatigue, muscle aches, headache, gastrointestinal symptoms and especially cough or shortness of breath after travel should be assessed. What matters is that the patient tells the doctor where they travelled, when they returned and whether there was possible rodent exposure,” he concluded.
