A new health scare made headlines this week, after three persons died and several others fell sick aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship. The infection in this case, was hantavirus, something most people have not heard of. Passengers from the stricken ship disembarked today after it docked at the Canary islands, and are flying back to their home countries, many of which are imposing quarantine requirements. The World Health Organization, which has been keeping tabs on this situation has recommended, but not mandated a 42-day quarantine once the passengers have landed. It has also said there is no cause for panic as this not another Covid-19 like situation and the overall risk to the general public is low.
But what is hantavirus, who is at risk of contracting it and how is it treated?
Guest: Dr Neha Rastogi Panda, senior consultant, infectious diseases, Fortis Hospital, Gurugram
Host: Zubeda Hamid
Producer and editor: Jude Francis Weston
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Published – May 11, 2026 06:34 pm IST