Experts say cruise-ship hantavirus outbreak differs from COVID because public spread risk is considered low

Why do experts say this is not like COVID-19?

Experts say hantavirus is mainly spread through contact with infected rodents or their droppings, urine or saliva, not through the kind of routine respiratory spread seen with COVID-19. They add that person-to-person spread is rare and mainly linked to the Andes strain, so the broader public risk is considered low CNN International,Aol,Terra.

How does hantavirus usually spread?

People are usually infected by inhaling virus particles from disturbed rodent droppings, urine or nesting material, or by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching their mouth or nose. Rodent bites or scratches can also transmit it, though that is described as uncommon CNN International,NDTV,NDTV.

What happens next for passengers and contacts from the ship?

Health authorities are monitoring exposed passengers and some contacts after evacuation because symptoms can appear one to several weeks after exposure. Some travelers have been quarantined or kept under observation while officials continue testing and contact tracing NDTV,NDTV,Newsweek.