05/07/2026
You may have seen recent headlines about a hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean. is a rare but serious virus most commonly spread through exposure to wild rodent droppings, urine, or saliva. Early symptoms resemble the flu but can progress quickly to severe respiratory illness.
The World Health Organization (WHO) confirms the risk to the general public remains low, and the virus does not spread easily from person to person.
If you have concerns or have recently been in an area with possible rodent exposure, contact your primary care provider.
A cluster of three deaths has been linked to a deadly hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean. At least 7 cases of hantavirus have been confirmed among passengers, but the World Health Organization (WHO) says the risk to the general public is low.