A new timeline of the deadly hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship reveals the key moments of how the rare virus spread among passengers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating the cases, which have resulted in multiple hospitalizations and at least one fatality.
The outbreak began when a passenger likely contracted the virus from infected rodent droppings or urine in the ship's common areas. The virus then spread to other passengers through close contact and possibly contaminated surfaces.
Hantavirus is extremely rare in the U.S., with most cases reported in the Southwest. However, this cruise ship outbreak has raised new concerns about viral spread in enclosed environments.