A virus linked to rodents is drawing global attention after at least three people died during a hantavirus outbreak connected to the cruise ship MV Hondius, according to the World Health Organization.  
 
Health officials said passengers from multiple countries, including Texas residents, were aboard the ship during the outbreak.  
 
According to Reuters, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notified Texas health officials that two Texans had been on the ship and that they returned home before the outbreak was discovered. Texas officials told the outlet the residents were asymptomatic and self-monitoring for symptoms.  
 
Here’s what to know about hantavirus, how it spreads, its history in Texas, and what health officials are saying now. 

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What is hantavirus? 

Hantaviruses are a family of viruses carried by certain rodents worldwide, according to the CDC. In the United States, hantavirus infections can lead to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, or HPS, a severe respiratory illness.   
 
The CDC says symptoms usually begin one to eight weeks after exposure to infected rodents or their urine, droppings or saliva.   
 
Early symptoms can include: 
 

• Fever 
• Fatigue 
• Muscle and joint aches 
• Headaches 
• Nausea or stomach pain 
• Vomiting or diarrhea   

As the illness progresses, some people develop coughing and shortness of breath as fluid builds in the lungs.

How does hantavirus spread? 

People can become infected after exposure to infected rodents or by breathing in air contaminated with rodent urine, droppings or nesting materials,   
 
The virus can also spread through:

• Touching contaminated materials and then touching the eyes, nose or mouth 
• Rodent bites or scratches 
• Eating food contaminated by rodents   

The CDC says there have been no reported cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome spreading person-to-person in the United States.   
 
The outbreak aboard the MV Hondius involves the Andes strain of hantavirus, which WHO says has shown limited person-to-person transmission in South America. 

What happened aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship?  

The outbreak aboard the Dutch-flagged expedition ship MV Hondius prompted international monitoring efforts after multiple passengers became ill during the voyage, according to WHO. 
 
The organization said at least seven confirmed or suspected cases were identified as of this week, including three deaths. 
 
Passengers from several countries have been monitored since the outbreak was discovered, as some travelers had disembarked before the outbreak was identified, according to Reuters. 
 
Health officials have said the overall public health risk remains low. 

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What is the history of hantavirus in Texas? 

Human hantavirus infections are rare in Texas, but cases have been documented over the years. 
 
According to Texas Department of State Health Services data tracking zoonotic diseases, hantavirus cases were reported in the state between 2020 and 2024. 
 
The disease became widely known in the U.S. after a 1993 outbreak in the Four Corners region near Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah, where investigators linked a respiratory illness to infected deer mice. 
 
The CDC says cases in the United States are most reported in western states and rural areas where people are more likely to encounter rodents. 

What activities increase the risk of hantavirus? 

The CDC says several activities can increase risk of exposure, including: 

• Cleaning rodent urine or droppings without gloves 
• Entering rodent-infested cabins, campers or sheds 
• Working in barns, garages or vehicles where rodents may live 
• Camping or participating in outdoor activities near rodent habitats   

How can people protect themselves? 

The CDC recommends three main prevention steps: “Seal up, trap up and clean up.”   
That includes: 

• Sealing holes and gaps where rodents can enter homes 
• Keeping food in tightly sealed containers 
• Removing clutter and trash around homes 
• Using snap traps to reduce rodent populations 
• Properly disinfecting rodent droppings and nests   

Health officials warn people should never sweep or vacuum rodent droppings because it can spread contaminated particles into the air. Instead, the CDC recommends spraying droppings with disinfectant or a bleach solution, letting it soak and then wiping it up with paper towels while wearing gloves.   
 
The CDC also recommends airing out enclosed spaces such as cabins, sheds and vehicles before cleaning them.  

When should people seek medical care? 

The CDC says people should seek medical attention immediately if they develop symptoms, especially difficulty breathing, after exposure to rodents or rodent waste.   

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