08.05.2026 18:50
The hantavirus outbreak, which led to the deaths of three people on the MV Hondius ship, has caused concern, while the Ministry of Health announced that there are no cases in Türkiye. Hantavirus, often initially mistaken for the flu, shows symptoms such as high fever, severe fatigue, muscle and back pain, headache, nausea, and vomiting. The most distinctive symptom of the disease is shortness of breath. Meanwhile, the WHO stated that the disease is not transmitted through the air like the coronavirus, but through close and prolonged contact.
The MV Hondius, which departed from Argentina on April 1 and is expected to arrive in Spain's Canary Islands on May 10, has sparked curiosity about the symptoms of the hantavirus that caused the deaths of 3 people on board. While case numbers increase on the ship, which also carries 3 Turkish passengers, the Ministry of Health announced in a statement that there are no cases in Turkey.
MINISTRY OF HEALTH: NO HANTAVIRUS CASES IN TURKEY The Ministry of Health stated the following in its statement on the issue: "The process regarding the hantavirus cases reflected in the public is being meticulously followed by our Ministry in line with scientific principles. No positive cases have been detected in our country yet. It is important for our citizens to only take into account statements made by official authorities and to be cautious about unverified information circulating in the public. Our Ministry continues its screening, prevention, control, and monitoring activities against all kinds of infectious diseases that may threaten public health, with all relevant units, without interruption."
"TRANSMITTED FROM MICE AND OTHER RODENTS" Infectious Diseases Specialist Prof. Dr. Yaşar Bayındır stated that hantavirus is not a new virus, but has recently come back to the agenda due to cases worldwide. Bayındır noted that this infection, transmitted especially through mice and other rodents, can be severe in some patients, saying, "Hantavirus is mostly transmitted by inhaling environments contaminated with rodent urine, feces, and saliva. The risk may increase especially in areas that have been closed for a long time, such as warehouses, barns, vineyard houses, and highland houses. The virus can be inhaled through particles mixed into the air. Human-to-human transmission is very rare and has only been reported in a limited number of cases for some specific hantavirus types to date."
"SYMPTOMS RESEMBLE THE FLU; SHORTNESS OF BREATH IS AN IMPORTANT WARNING SIGN" Prof. Dr. Bayındır, stating that the initial symptoms of the disease can often be confused with the flu or an upper respiratory tract infection, emphasized that early symptoms should be carefully evaluated, saying, "Symptoms such as high fever, severe fatigue, muscle and back pain, headache, nausea, and vomiting may occur. The condition, which can start like a simple viral infection in the early days, can rapidly worsen in some patients. The development of shortness of breath, in particular, is an important warning sign. However, perhaps more important than the symptoms for diagnosis is the epidemiological history for this disease. That is, patients' exposure to rodents or their urine, feces, and saliva must be questioned. In some types of hantavirus, the lungs, heart, and kidneys can be severely affected. Especially sudden onset of respiratory distress, decreased urine output, and bloody urine should be taken seriously. In some cases, severe fluid accumulation in the lungs may develop, and the patient may need intensive care within a short time. In addition, deterioration of kidney function, decreased urine output, and blood pressure problems may also occur. Some patients may develop acute kidney injury. Decreased urine volume, protein, and red blood cells in the urine may be observed. Fever and respiratory complaints should not be taken lightly, especially in individuals with a history of risky exposure."
"RISK MAY INCREASE IN THE SUMMER MONTHS" Prof. Dr. Bayındır, noting that the increase in outdoor activities, camping, and rural area use during the summer season can elevate the risk of hantavirus, stated the following: "Areas that have not been used for a long time must be ventilated before cleaning. Do not sweep in a way that raises dust. The use of masks and gloves should be encouraged in areas with rodent contact risk. Although hantavirus cases are rare, they can lead to severe lung and kidney failure. Especially during summer time spent in rural areas, hygiene and protective measures should not be neglected. Hantavirus has been known since the 900s and has caused epidemics. For example, during the Korean War between 1951 and 1953, it caused more than 2,000 United Nations soldiers to fall ill and resulted in the death of about 5 percent. Additionally, human-to-human transmission is theoretically considered absent, or the possibility of transmission from some virus types is known to be rare. Therefore, although the possibility of a pandemic in the near future like the one we recently experienced does not seem likely, taking necessary protective measures and global monitoring of the disease are important."
"TRANSMITTED THROUGH CLOSE AND PROLONGED CONTACT" WHO epidemic disease expert Maria van Kerkhove stated that hantavirus is not transmitted through the air like COVID-19, but through "close and prolonged contact." Van Kerkhove emphasized that the situation is completely different from the onset of COVID-19 six years ago.
“INCUBATION PERIOD CAN REACH 6 WEEKS” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus pointed out that the incubation period of the "Andes" type of hantavirus can extend up to 6 weeks, warning the world public against the risk of new cases emerging.
ABOUT HANTAVIRUS Hantavirus is known as a disease mostly transmitted from rodents.
The virus, transmitted by inhaling air mixed with dried rodent feces, urine, and saliva, and sometimes through rodent bites or scratches, shows symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and muscle pain.
The virus, which can also cause respiratory failure, in some cases leads to internal bleeding and kidney failure.