Hantavirus: Causes and Prevention

Hantavirus has been in the news lately after a cluster of cases linked to a cruise ship outbreak in 2026. While it sounds like something new, hantavirus has actually been around for decades. What’s different now is the spotlight — and the reminder of how serious it can be. Hantaviruses are carried by rodents like mice and rats. People usually get infected by breathing in tiny particles from rodent urine, droppings, or saliva — often while cleaning dusty cabins, sheds, or enclosed spaces. It’s not typically spread from person to person, except for one strain called the Andes virus, which can rarely spread through close contact.