WHO: Hantavirus highly infectious at symptom onset

Cruise ship outbreak prompts global quarantine measures

The outbreak of the rare virus has led to evacuation and repatriation efforts for nearly 150 people onboard, with WHO recommending a 42-day quarantine period for all contacts, matching the maximum incubation period of the Andes strain, the only hantavirus known to spread between humans.

Early symptoms difficult to detect

WHO officials explained that individuals are most infectious when symptoms first appear, often starting with mild signs such as fatigue or low fever before potentially…