A hantavirus death in Colorado has been confirmed as unrelated to the high-profile cruise ship outbreak that has raised global concern, health officials said.
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An adult in Douglas County, Colorado, died after contracting the virus through local exposure to rodents, according to state health authorities. Officials emphasized that the case is not connected to the outbreak aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship, where multiple infections and deaths have been reported.
“Hantavirus infections caused by the Sin Nombre hantavirus occur regularly in Colorado, usually in the spring and summer, and can cause a severe and sometimes deadly respiratory disease,” the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said in a statement.
Different Strains of Hantavirus
The cruise ship outbreak and the Colorado death involved different strains of hantavirus and separate transmission patterns.
The Colorado case involves the Sin Nombre virus, which is common in the U.S., while the cruise outbreak involves the Andes virus, a rarer strain.
The Andes strain is the only known hantavirus capable of spreading between people in rare cases. Due to this, health officials say the risk to the general public remains low, but the cruise outbreak has heightened awareness of a virus that is typically rare.
Colorado Hantavirus Death Linked to Local Rodents
The death occurred in Douglas County, Colorado, with officials saying they believe the infection came from contact with rodents or their droppings.
The strain involved, the Sin Nombre virus, is the most common in North America, and it does not spread person-to-person.
Cases occur regularly in Colorado, particularly in spring and summer.
“The risk to the general public remains low,” the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said.
How This Is Different From the Cruise Ship Outbreak
There are many key differences between the Colorado death from hantavirus and the MV Hondius cruise outbreak.
The Colorado case:
- Caused by Sin Nombre virus
- Spread through rodent exposure
- No person-to-person transmission
Meanwhile, the cruise outbreak (MV Hondius):
- Caused by Andes virus
- Likely began from an initial exposure before boarding
- Can spread between people in close contact (rarely)
- Occurred in close quarters aboard a ship
Based on the cruise ship outbreak, at least 11 cases have been reported, and three deaths were linked to the exposure.
Passengers were quarantined and monitored internationally, but close-contact environments likely contributed to the spread.
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How Did the Hantavirus Outbreak Start?
Health experts believe the cruise outbreak likely began when one passenger was infected with the Andes strain before boarding. The virus then spread in the confined cruise ship environment, and close contact among passengers may have enabled limited person-to-person transmission.
By contrast, most hantavirus cases, including the Colorado death, originate from environmental exposure to infected rodents, not human transmission.
“In the current hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise, the most likely explanation is that some individuals were exposed while traveling in Argentina, where reported hantavirus cases have increased substantially compared with 2024,” Dr. Luis Marcos, an infectious disease expert at Stony Brook Medicine in New York, told Newsweek.
“Exposure typically occurs in rural or wilderness areas contaminated by infected rodents or their excreta. In South America, unlike in the United States, certain hantavirus strains can also spread from person to person, which may have contributed to secondary transmission among close contacts.”
How to Know If You Have Contracted Hantavirus
Symptoms can appear one to eight weeks after exposure and often progress in stages.
Early symptoms:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Muscle aches
Additional symptoms:
- Headaches
- Chills
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
Severe symptoms (later stage):
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness
- Fluid buildup in the lungs
What Is the Death Rate for People with Hantavirus?
Hantavirus infections can be severe and sometimes deadly.
In the U.S., hantavirus pulmonary syndrome has a high fatality rate, and some estimates suggest around 40 percent of cases can be fatal for certain strains.
In Colorado, 121 cases were reported from 1993 to 2023, and a total of 76 deaths were recorded.
How to Prevent Hantavirus
Health officials stress that prevention is largely about avoiding exposure to rodents.
Key precautions include:
- Avoid contact with rodent droppings, urine, and nesting materials
- Do not sweep or vacuum rodent waste (this can aerosolize particles)
- Use bleach or disinfectant before cleaning contaminated areas
- Wear gloves and protective gear when cleaning
- Seal homes and buildings to prevent rodent entry
What Happens Next
Health officials in Colorado are continuing to investigate the source of exposure, and cruise ship passengers and contacts continue to be monitored.
Experts say the risk of widespread transmission remains low, but awareness is important, especially in areas where rodents are common.
“Despite several weeks having passed since the first reported death, only a small number of confirmed cases have been identified, suggesting that the transmissibility of this virus remains relatively low and requires close, prolonged exposure,” Marcos said. “Based on the currently available information, the risk of a widespread pandemic appears very low.”
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