Amid concerns over two Indian nationals reportedly infected with hantavirus aboard a cruise ship, Dr. Naveen Kumar, Director of the ICMR-National Institute of Virology, said on Friday that the reported cases appear to be isolated incidents and do not pose an immediate public health threat to India.
He clarified that authorities have not found any evidence of community spread so far.
Hantavirus Primarily Spreads Through Rodent Exposure
Explaining the nature of the infection, Dr. Kumar said hantaviruses mainly spread to humans through contact with infected rodents or their excreta, including saliva, urine, and faeces.
People usually contract the infection by inhaling aerosolised virus particles from rodent droppings or urine, particularly in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces such as warehouses, ships, barns, and storage facilities.
WHO Monitoring Small Cluster of Cases on Cruise Ship
As reported by The Hindu, the remarks came after reports confirmed that two Indian nationals aboard a cruise ship had tested positive for hantavirus.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the two passengers were part of a small cluster of suspected infections identified on the vessel. Health authorities are currently monitoring close contacts and implementing precautionary measures.
WHO officials also noted that hantavirus infections remain rare and are typically associated with rodent exposure rather than sustained human-to-human transmission.
Experts Say Human-to-Human Transmission Is Extremely Rare
Dr. Kumar emphasised that hantavirus does not spread easily between people, unlike COVID-19.
“Human-to-human transmission is extremely uncommon. Most hantaviruses, especially those reported in Asia and Europe, do not spread between humans. Limited person-to-person transmission has only been documented with certain South American strains such as the Andes virus,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO, described the incident as serious but stated that the organisation currently assesses the public health risk as low.
However, he cautioned that additional cases could emerge during the incubation period.
Symptoms Can Resemble Flu or Severe Respiratory Illness
Public health experts noted that hantavirus infections can initially resemble influenza, dengue, or other severe respiratory illnesses, making early diagnosis difficult.
According to Dr. Kumar, symptoms generally appear one to five weeks after exposure and often begin as flu-like illness.
Common symptoms include sudden fever, severe body ache, headache, fatigue, chills, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and dry cough.
In severe cases, patients may develop breathing difficulties, low blood pressure, or kidney complications associated with reduced urine output.
India Has Adequate Diagnostic Capacity, Says NIV Director
Speaking about India’s preparedness, Dr. Kumar said the country has sufficient laboratory surveillance and diagnostic capacity to identify suspected cases.
“India has diagnostic capability for hantavirus infection through the ICMR-National Institute of Virology and the nationwide Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory Network of 165 laboratories, where RT-PCR facilities are available for confirmation of suspected cases,” he said.
Experts Advise Precaution in Rodent-Prone Environments
Dr. Kumar advised people working or travelling in rodent-prone environments such as ships, warehouses, storage facilities, and poorly ventilated spaces to maintain proper hygiene and avoid exposure to rodent-infested areas.
Furthermore, he warned that environmental changes could increase the long-term risk of rodent-borne diseases globally, including in India.
Climate Change and Urbanisation May Increase Future Risk
According to Dr. Kumar, factors such as climate change, flooding, unplanned urbanisation, poor waste management, and increased human encroachment into rodent habitats can significantly raise the risk of rodent-borne infections.
“Heavy rainfall and floods often force rodents into human dwellings and storage areas, thereby increasing exposure risk. Similarly, rapid urban growth combined with poor sanitation can support rodent proliferation,” he explained.
However, he reiterated that authorities have not identified any widespread transmission linked to the cruise ship cases so far. He added that standard rodent-control measures, sanitation practices, and public hygiene remain the most effective strategies for preventing hantavirus infections.