On May 2, the World Health Organisation (WHO) was notified of a cluster of severe respiratory illness cases aboard a cruise ship carrying 147 passengers and crew members by the United Kingdom.So far, there have been eight cases linked to the outbreak, including two laboratory-confirmed cases of hantavirus and five suspected infections. The incident has resulted in three deaths, while one patient remains in critical condition and three others are experiencing mild symptoms.Hantaviruses can infect and cause serious diseases in people worldwide. People get hantavirus from contact with rodents like rats and mice, especially when exposed to their urine, droppings, and saliva.WHO said that in humans, symptoms usually begin between one and eight weeks after exposure, depending on the type of virus, and typically include fever, headache, muscle aches and gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting.“Early diagnosis of hantavirus infection can be challenging because early symptoms are common with other febrile or respiratory illnesses, such as influenza, COVID-19, viral pneumonia, leptospirosis, dengue or sepsis. A careful patient history is therefore essential, with particular attention to possible rodent exposure, occupational and environmental risks, travel history, and contact with known cases in areas where hantaviruses are present,” WHO said.The director general of World Health Organisation (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, on Thursday said, “The species of hantavirus involved in the case is the andes virus found in Latin America and is known to be the only one culpable of transmission between humans. Previous outbreaks of andes virus transmission between people have been associated with long and prolonged contact particularly between household members and intimate partners. That appears to be the case in the current situation.”WHO said while there is no licensed specific antiviral treatment or vaccine for hantavirus infection, care is supportive and focuses on close clinical monitoring and management of respiratory, cardiac and kidney complications. Early access to intensive care, when clinically indicated, improves outcomes, particularly for patients with hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome.The WHO said that diagnosing hantavirus in a person who has been infected less than 72 hours is difficult. “If the initial test is done before the virus can be found, repeat testing is often done 72 hours after symptoms start. Early symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea, and fatigue are easily confused with influenza,” WHO said.