Science Weekly Hantavirus explained: how does it spread and who is most at risk?
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May 5, 2026 
Professor Jonathan Ball, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and virologist, breaks down hantavirus origins and rodent reservoirs. He explains how people catch it via rodent urine, airborne particles and close contact. He outlines rarity of person-to-person spread but why a cruise ship setting raises concern. He also covers incubation, containment measures and why monitoring and testing are crucial.
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Two Major Hantavirus Groups And Their Diseases
- Hantaviruses circulate widely in rodents and fall into New World and Old World groups with different illnesses.
- New World strains cause severe hantavirus pulmonary syndrome; Old World strains cause hemorrhagic fever with renal problems.
How People Usually Catch Hantavirus
- Humans get infected mainly by inhaling aerosolised dried rodent urine or faeces containing virus.
- Risk rises where people live or work near rodents or disturb contaminated dust that becomes airborne.
Human To Human Spread Is Uncommon But Possible
- Human-to-human transmission is rare but documented among very close contacts and health workers.
- Evidence also suggests potential sexual transmission and spread via contact with contaminated materials from infected people.