While most hantaviruses spread through contact with rodent feces, urine or saliva, officials confirm that the type on the cruise ship is Andes hantavirus, which is known to spread between people.

The CDC said that “there is no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine for Andes virus.” Symptoms can develop rapidly and early medical intervention is critical. Here’s what you should know about the Andes version of the hantavirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

Countries around the world, including the U.S., are preparing to deal with the more than 140 passengers and crew members on board a hantavirus-stricken cruise ship where at least three people have died and several others fallen ill.

Hantavirus has been all over the news lately due to a shocking outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean. The virus is typically transmitted to humans when they breathe airborne particles from the dried droppings,

Laboratory tests have implicated the Andes virus, a specific type of hantavirus, in the cluster of illnesses on the cruise ship MV Hondius.

Holly has a degree in Medical Biochemistry from the University of Leicester. Her scientific interests include genomics, personalized medicine, and bioethics.View full profile Holly has a degree in Medical Biochemistry from the University of Leicester.

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A voyage that began as an expedition through some of the most breathtaking landscapes has taken a devastating turn, as health officials confirm a rare and deadly virus outbreak. See details.