Health officials are tracking an outbreak of the rare Andes virus after three people died and eight were infected on the MV Hondius cruise ship. The World Health Organization confirmed the strain.
Unlike most hantaviruses, which spread from rodents to humans, the Andes strain is the only one capable of human-to-human transmission. However, Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, noted studies show it remains rare.
Endemic to Argentina, Chile, and parts of southern South America, the virus is carried by the long-tailed pygmy rice rat. It causes hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a severe respiratory disease that fluid buildup in the lungs, with a 38% fatality rate, according to the CDC.
Symptoms include fatigue, fever, and muscle aches, appearing 4 to 42 days after exposure. Only symptomatic individuals are contagious. Dr. Siegel said the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute is working on monoclonal antibodies, and an mRNA vaccine is in development. Currently, no treatment or vaccine exists, and patients receive supportive care. The CDC says risk to the American public remains extremely low.