What counts as 'close contact'? Why the risk of hantavirus transmission is tricky to define
A hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship MV Hondius has led to monitoring and quarantine for 150 passengers, with transmission linked to the rare human-spreading Andes virus. Public health officials describe transmission as requiring 'close and prolonged contact,' but there is no standardized definition of what constitutes such exposure. Some agencies are applying COVID-19-era proximity guidelines, though experts agree the Andes virus is significantly less contagious than SARS-CoV-2.
- ▪The Andes virus, involved in the MV Hondius outbreak, is the only hantavirus known to spread from person to person.
- ▪Health authorities define high-risk contact as including intimate partners, household members, or prolonged close indoor exposure.
- ▪The CDC uses a 6-foot distance for at least 15 minutes as a benchmark for close contact, a standard developed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- ▪Experts recommend using N95 respirators and airborne precautions when treating Andes virus patients, despite limited contagion compared to SARS-CoV-2.
- ▪The World Health Organization and health agencies are relying on precautionary measures due to uncertainty around exact transmission conditions.
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Health Viruses, Infections & Disease What counts as 'close contact'? Why the risk of hantavirus transmission is tricky to define Health officials have said the Andes virus implicated in the cruise ship outbreak spreads via "close contact." Live Science spoke to experts about what that means. By Naomi Mihara published 16 May 2026 in News When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. British passengers from the MV Hondius disembarked and headed by coach to the airport at Granadilla Port in Tenerife on May 10, 2026. Precautions were taken to minimize any risk of viral transmission.
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