Is there a hantavirus vaccine? Cruise ship outbreak raises concern

The disease currently at the center of a cruise ship outbreak – caused by hantavirus, which infects thousands each year around the world – has some wondering about the standard treatment process and possible prevention strategies.

Eight people who traveled on the MV Hondius, a cruise ship in the Atlantic run by Netherlands-based operator Oceanwide Expeditions, have had either suspected or confirmed cases of hantavirus as of May 7, according to the World Health Organization.

Three people have died from the outbreak, which officials believe began when a Dutch couple was infected while they were off the cruise ship on wildlife expeditions.

Hantavirus is a primarily rodent-borne virus that is transmitted to people through contact with the urine, feces or saliva of infected animals. The strain at the center of the outbreak has been confirmed as the Andes virus, which is believed to spread person-to-person, according to the WHO.

Here's what to know about the treatment and prevention of hantavirus.

Is there a hantavirus vaccine?

No, there is not a vaccine or other antiviral treatment for hantavirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and WHO.

Vaccines are a key public health tool used to reduce the risk of getting a disease by working with the body's natural defenses to build protection, according to the WHO.

The agency estimates that immunizations prevent millions of deaths every year from diseases like tetanus, influenza and measles.

However, vaccine development typically takes years of research, testing and manufacturing, according to the CDC.

There are a number of reasons why some viruses don't have vaccines available, such as a lack of available research funding.

How is hantavirus treated?

Because there is no specific antiviral treatment for hantavirus, clinicians mainly focus on monitoring and caring for an infected patients' symptoms, especially respiratory, cardiac and kidney complications, according to the WHO.

It's important for people who think they may have a hantavirus infection to contact their doctor right away, as early care is crucial, says the CDC.

How to prevent hantavirus

Hantavirus is primarily transmitted to people through rodent urine, feces and droppings, so avoiding exposure to rodents is the best way to prevent infection, according to the CDC.

The WHO recommends the following preventative measures:

• Keep homes and workplaces clean.
• Seal openings that allow rodents to enter buildings.
• Store food securely.
• Use safe cleaning practices in areas contaminated by rodents.
• Avoid dry sweeping or vacuuming rodent droppings.
• Dampen contaminated areas before cleaning.
• Prioritize hand hygiene practices.

In the current cruise ship outbreak, officials suspect the virus has spread person-to-person because it has been identified as a strain known as the Andes virus. Because of that, officials are working to identify and isolate cases early and monitor close contacts to limit further spread, according to the WHO.