Is hantavirus in Texas? Cruise ship outbreak sparks concerns

Concerns about hantavirus cases in Texas are growing after two passengers aboard the cruise ship that experienced an outbreak were from the Lone Star State.

The two people had left the ship and returned to the U.S. before the outbreak was identified, USA TODAY previously reported. The Department of Health and Human Services said it would not release personal details about the passengers to protect their privacy, but said they are not experiencing any symptoms and did not have any contact with a sick person while aboard the ship.

In Texas, hantavirus is rare, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Less than 50 cases have been reported in the state since the CDC began surveilling hantavirus cases in 1993.

Here's what to know about hantavirus in Texas.

Is hantavirus in Texas?

While hantavirus is present in Texas, the number of people who contract it is extremely low, according to the CDC.

Texas has not had a reported case since 2021, and overall, the state has had 49 cases between 1993 and 2023 and less than half — 14 of those cases resulted in death.

Across the United States, there have been 890 cases of hantavirus between 1993 and 2023, the CDC reports.

What states have hantavirus?

New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado appear to have the most reported hantavirus cases in the United States, according to CDC data.

New Mexico has had the most cases with 129 reported hantavirus cases from 1993-2023.

What is hantavirus?

Hantaviruses can infect and cause serious disease in people worldwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control. People contract hantavirus through contact with rodents such as rats and mice, especially when exposed to their urine, droppings, and saliva. It can also spread through a bite or scratch from a rodent, but this is rare.

How is hantavirus spread between humans?

Human-to-human transmission has been documented only for the Andes virus in the Americas and remains uncommon, according to the WHO.

The Andes virus is the strain confirmed on the cruise ship, USA TODAY reported.

When it occurs, transmission between people has been associated with close and prolonged contact, particularly among household members or intimate partners, and appears most likely during the early phase of illness, when the virus is more transmissible, the WHO states.

Hantavirus symptoms

Symptoms can include:

• fatigue
• fever
• muscle aches
• headaches
• dizziness
• chills
• abdominal problems, like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain

How to prevent hantavirus

You can eliminate or minimize contact with rodents in your home, workplace, or campsite to reduce your risk of hantavirus exposure, according to the CDC. Seal holes and gaps in your home or garage to keep rodents from entering. Place traps in and around your home to decrease rodent infestation. Clean up any easy-to-get food that might attract rodents.

Natassia Paloma may be reached at [email protected], @NatassiaPaloma on x; natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma Thompson on Facebook.