Addressing community questions and concerns about Hantavirus
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS |||
With recent news stories about a Hantavirus outbreak linked to a cruise ship, many people have questions about what Hantavirus is, how it spreads, and whether they should be concerned. Public health officials want people to know that the overall risk to the public remains very low. As your local public health team, we want to address some of the most frequently asked questions we’re getting. If your questions aren’t answered here, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at 360-378-4474 or hcs@sanjuancountywa.gov.
Why is Hantavirus in the news?
Many people are hearing about Hantavirus, maybe for the first time, because of a cruise outbreak or because actor Gene Hackman’s wife died from Hantavirus in 2025, which has increased public attention to the disease.
On May 2, 2026, a cruise ship reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) a cluster of passengers with severe respiratory illness onboard. As of May 14, 2026, there have been eleven cases (9 confirmed and 2 probable cases) identified, including three deaths, one critically ill patient, and four people reporting mild symptoms. Travelers from the United States are now being monitored after returning home from the voyage and none have reported any symptoms.
There are three King County residents connected to the cruise ship, and all are under public health monitoring. Two King County residents were sitting on an airplane near an ill cruise ship passenger who was removed from the plane before takeoff. These residents remain asymptomatic and are monitoring for symptoms at home in coordination with Public Health – Seattle & King County. The third resident was a passenger on the cruise ship and is currently asymptomatic and being monitored for symptoms along with other American passengers at the national quarantine center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
What is Hantavirus?
Hantavirus is a rare viral disease usually spread through contact with infected rodents or their urine, droppings, or saliva. Hantavirus can cause Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). HPS is a severe, and sometimes fatal, respiratory disease contracted from rodents.
Any activity that puts you in contact with deer mouse droppings, urine, saliva, or nesting materials can place you at risk for infection. Exposure can happen if you inhale contaminated dust. This can happen after disturbing rodent droppings or nests while cleaning, or by living or working in rodent-infested settings.
Can Hantavirus spread from person to person?
Most Hantaviruses do not spread person-to-person. Although uncommon, limited human-to-human transmission of HPS due to the Andes Hantavirus strain has been reported in community settings involving close and prolonged contact. Secondary infections among healthcare workers have been previously documented in healthcare facilities, though remain rare. The World Health Organization (WHO) and health officials have emphasized that transmission is uncommon and usually limited to close contacts.
WHO currently assesses the risk to the global population from this event as low and will continue to monitor the epidemiological situation and update the risk assessment as more information becomes available.
Should travelers or passengers on other cruise ships be worried?
Summer travelers can feel reassured that there is currently no recommendation from U.S. or international health authorities to cancel or change travel plans because of Hantavirus. Public health experts have deemed the overall risk as very low. Hantavirus does not spread easily the way other respiratory viruses do, like COVID-19 or influenza. The graphic below (from this article) provides a good risk assessment for individuals.
What symptoms should people watch for?
Symptoms of HPS begin one (1) to eight (8) weeks after inhaling the virus. Initial symptoms may include fever, sore muscles, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. After three to five days, the disease worsens and causes shortness of breath. Hospital care is usually required.
If you have been exposed to deer mice or mice-infested buildings and you experience symptoms of fever, muscle aches, and/or severe shortness of breath, contact your health care provider immediately. Let your provider know of possible deer mouse exposure so that they are alerted to the possibility of rodent-borne diseases, such as Hantavirus.
Is this another COVID-like situation?
Hantaviruses are different than COVID in several ways:
- Hantavirus is much harder to spread;
- transmission requires closer exposure;
- and outbreaks historically remain limited.
A lot of information is still unknown or unconfirmed at this time about the cruise outbreak, so we anticipate that we will learn more in the coming days and weeks.
What are health agencies, like CDC and WHO, doing now?
The outbreak is being managed through a coordinated international response, and includes in-depth investigations, case isolation and care, medical evacuation, and laboratory investigations, according to the WHO. The outbreak response includes many organizations, like WHO, CDC, European health agencies, South African health agencies, and many others.
What can I do to keep myself safe?
If you see a rodent nest, droppings, or infestation, it is important to clean up safely. Here are some precautions you can take to reduce the risk of exposure to Hantavirus:
- Ventilate the space before cleaning. Open doors and windows for at least thirty minutes.
- Avoid stirring up dust. Don’t use a leaf blower, vacuum, broom, or other dry cleaning methods like dusting.
- Wear rubber, latex, vinyl, or nitrile gloves.
- Wear a well-fitting N95 mask. A dust mask may provide some protection against dusts during cleaning, but does not protect against viruses.
- Thoroughly wet any contaminated areas with a diluted bleach solution. This includes trapped or dead rodents, droppings, and nests. To learn how to wet clean safely, DOH has instructions on their website.
- Double bag the dirty rags and any dead rodents. Then place them in a sealed garbage can.
- Wash gloves with disinfectant or soap and water before removing. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth after cleaning. Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly after removing your gloves.
Preventing rodent infestation is the surest way to prevent the spread of Hantavirus:
- Remove rodent food sources. Keep food (including pet food) in rodent-proof containers.
- Seal up cracks and gaps. Seal any cracks and gaps in buildings that are larger than ¼ inch, including windows and door sills, under sicks around pipes, in foundations, or attics are potential entry points for rodents.
- Trap indoor rats and mice with snap traps or electronic traps. Poison baits and glue traps can be effective, but may also cause other undesirable effects. To learn more about these options go to DOH’s website here.
Relevant URLs:
- Hantavirus | DOH (español)
- Safely Cleaning Up After Rodents | DOH
- Three King County residents connected to international cruise ship in public health monitoring for Hantavirus | Seattle & King County
- Hantavirus cluster linked to cruise ship travel, Multi-country | WHO
- Access your Family’s Immunization Information | DOH
About San Juan County’s Department of Health & Community Services
San Juan County’s Department of Health & Community Services is responsible for community and environmental health, mental health and substance abuse programs, senior services, affordable housing projects, and more. The department has staff and offices on Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan Islands. For more information about San Juan County’s Department of Health & Community Services, visit www.sanjuancountywa.gov/1777/
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