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Rachel V Thomas

Hantavirus Outbreak: Is Climate Change Behind The Outbreak?

The ongoing outbreak of <span>hantavirus</span>, a rodent-borne disease, among passengers aboard the luxury cruise ship <span>MV Hondius</span> has been linked to climate change, according to health experts. 

So far, the outbreak has affected only people connected to the cruise ship, with eight reported cases, including three deaths. Six cases have been confirmed to be caused by the <span>Andes</span> strain of hantavirus.

The disease is expected to result in more cases as public health officials across 12 countries — including the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, and the Netherlands — continue contact tracing and screening efforts. In addition, the disease’s incubation period, which can last several weeks, may make screening more difficult. 

According to the <span>World Health Organization</span>, an elderly Dutch couple may have brought the virus aboard after possibly contracting it through rodent exposure during a bird-watching tour near a landfill in <span>Ushuaia</span>, days before the ship departed from Argentina. Both the husband and wife later died.

<h2><span rel="noindex">Hantavirus Outbreak</span>: Why It May be Linked To Climate Change</h2>

Experts have blamed climate change and habitat destruction for the rise in cases of the disease, which is usually caused by exposure to the urine or feces of infected rodents.

Rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and habitat destruction are driving rodents closer to human populations, increasing the risk of hantavirus transmission through contaminated urine, droppings, or saliva. 

“Climate change and rodents are closely linked, particularly because global warming creates conditions that favor the spread and survival of many rodent species, including rats. Rising temperatures make previously colder regions more suitable for rodents, allowing them to expand their geographical range into areas where they were once less common,” said Dr. <span>Rajeev Jayadevan</span>, convenor of the IMA research cell, in a statement to <strong><em>HealthandMe</em></strong>. 

In general, colder regions tend to have fewer rats, but warming temperatures are changing that pattern.

Hantavirus Outbreak In Cruise Ship: Top FAQs Answered #hantavirus

“Increasing human interaction with wild environments, habitat destruction, the establishment of small urbanizations in rural areas, and the effects of climate change contribute to the appearance of cases outside historically endemic areas,” Argentina’s health ministry said in a statement. 

Dr. Jayadevan added that higher temperatures can also make rodent reproductive cycles more efficient.

“Since rodents are mammals, warmer weather may allow them to reproduce more frequently within a year, leading to larger populations over time. Even a small increase in reproductive cycles can significantly boost rodent numbers on a community scale, especially when food supplies are abundant,” he said.

<strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/hantavirus-israel-confirms-1st-case-as-uk-spain-probe-suspected-infections-should-you-be-worried-article-154278369" data-type="tilCustomLink">Hantavirus: Israel Confirms 1st Case as UK, Spain Probe Suspected Infections; Should You Be Worried?</a> 

<h2>Hantavirus: Flooding and Urbanization Raising Risks</h2>

Climate change also contributes to extreme weather events such as flooding, which can further increase human-rodent interaction. 

Notably, floods may destroy crops and disrupt natural food sources, forcing rodents to migrate into homes and urban areas in search of food and shelter. This closer contact between humans and rodents can increase the risk of rodent-borne diseases spreading. 

Dr. Ishwar Gilada, an infectious disease expert based in Mumbai, said that climate change, flooding, overcrowding, poor sanitation, rapid urbanization, and ecological disruption can all increase the risk of zoonotic infections, including hantavirus.

“Floods and heavy rainfall often force rodents into human settlements, while garbage accumulation, slums, warehouses, and poorly planned urban growth create ideal conditions for rodent breeding and human exposure,” Dr. Gilada said.

These conditions increase the likelihood of contact with contaminated urine or droppings.

<strong>Read More: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/donald-trump-says-hantavirus-is-under-control-questions-grow-over-cdc-research-cuts-article-154273752" data-type="tilCustomLink">Donald Trump Says Hantavirus Is 'Under Control'; Questions Grow Over CDC Research Cuts</a>

<h2>‘One Health’ Approach Key to Future Preparedness </h2>

Dr. Gilada also highlighted the growing importance of the “One Health” approach, which recognizes the close connection between human, animal, and environmental health.

“Although hantavirus remains uncommon in India and is not currently considered a major public health threat, the broader lesson is the importance of long-term preparedness through improved sanitation, rodent control, environmental management, and stronger disease surveillance systems,” he said.

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Hantavirus Climate Change

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The ongoing outbreak of hantavirus, a rodent-borne disease, among passengers aboard the luxury cruise ship MV Hondius has been linked to climate change, according to health experts. So far, the outbreak has affected only people connected to the cruise ship, with eight reported cases, including three deaths. Six cases have been confirmed to be caused by the Andes strain of hantavirus. The disease is expected to result in more cases as public health officials across 12 countries — including the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, and the Netherlands — continue contact tracing and screening efforts. In addition, the disease’s incubation period, which can last several weeks, may make screening more difficult. According to the World Health Organization, an elderly Dutch couple may have brought the virus aboard after possibly contracting it through rodent exposure during a bird-watching tour near a landfill in Ushuaia, days before the ship departed from Argentina. Both the husband and wife later died.Hantavirus Outbreak: Why It May be Linked To Climate Change Experts have blamed climate change and habitat destruction for the rise in cases of the disease, which is usually caused by exposure to the urine or feces of infected rodents.Rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and habitat destruction are driving rodents closer to human populations, increasing the risk of hantavirus transmission through contaminated urine, droppings, or saliva.  “Climate change and rodents are closely linked, particularly because global warming creates conditions that favor the spread and survival of many rodent species, including rats. Rising temperatures make previously colder regions more suitable for rodents, allowing them to expand their geographical range into areas where they were once less common,” said Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, convenor of the IMA research cell, in a statement to HealthandMe. In general, colder regions tend to have fewer rats, but warming temperatures are changing that pattern. “Increasing human interaction with wild environments, habitat destruction, the establishment of small urbanizations in rural areas, and the effects of climate change contribute to the appearance of cases outside historically endemic areas,” Argentina’s health ministry said in a statement. Dr. Jayadevan added that higher temperatures can also make rodent reproductive cycles more efficient. “Since rodents are mammals, warmer weather may allow them to reproduce more frequently within a year, leading to larger populations over time. Even a small increase in reproductive cycles can significantly boost rodent numbers on a community scale, especially when food supplies are abundant,” he said.Also read: Hantavirus: Israel Confirms 1st Case as UK, Spain Probe Suspected Infections; Should You Be Worried? Hantavirus: Flooding and Urbanization Raising RisksClimate change also contributes to extreme weather events such as flooding, which can further increase human-rodent interaction. Notably, floods may destroy crops and disrupt natural food sources, forcing rodents to migrate into homes and urban areas in search of food and shelter. This closer contact between humans and rodents can increase the risk of rodent-borne diseases spreading. Dr. Ishwar Gilada, an infectious disease expert based in Mumbai, said that climate change, flooding, overcrowding, poor sanitation, rapid urbanization, and ecological disruption can all increase the risk of zoonotic infections, including hantavirus. “Floods and heavy rainfall often force rodents into human settlements, while garbage accumulation, slums, warehouses, and poorly planned urban growth create ideal conditions for rodent breeding and human exposure,” Dr. Gilada said. These conditions increase the likelihood of contact with contaminated urine or droppings.Read More: Donald Trump Says Hantavirus Is 'Under Control'; Questions Grow Over CDC Research Cuts‘One Health’ Approach Key to Future Preparedness Dr. Gilada also highlighted the growing importance of the “One Health” approach, which recognizes the close connection between human, animal, and environmental health. “Although hantavirus remains uncommon in India and is not currently considered a major public health threat, the broader lesson is the importance of long-term preparedness through improved sanitation, rodent control, environmental management, and stronger disease surveillance systems,” he said.

hantavirus outbreak: is climate change behind the outbreak?

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