Three people have died on a cruise ship over the weekend from a suspected hantavirus outbreak - but what is the virus and how is it treated?

Hantavirus infections, normally carried by rodents, can lead to severe respiratory illness and can be fatal

Hantaviruses have existed for centuries, with outbreaks historically reported in Asia and Europe. In those regions, infections have been linked to haemorrhagic fever and kidney failure

In the United States, a distinct strain emerged in the early 1990s, causing a severe respiratory illness known as Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)

The group of viruses cause two serious infections: haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and HPS

How does hantavirus spread?

Infections are usually spread by infected rodents' urine or faeces. While it is rare, hantavirus can spread between people, according to the World Health Organization

What are the symptoms?

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), early symptoms of HPS can include fever, fatigue and muscle aches

Around half of patients also experience headaches, chills and dizziness, and abdominal problems like nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, the CDC added

Four to 10 days after the initial phase, the late symptoms include coughing and shortness of breath

Patients might experience tightness in the chest as the lungs fill with fluid, the CDC said

The CDC said initial symptoms of HFRS include intense headaches, back and abdominal pain, fever/chills, nausea and blurred vision

People may have flushing of the face, inflammation or redness of the eyes, or a rash. Later symptoms can include low blood pressure, lack of blood flow, internal bleeding and acute kidney failure, which can cause severe fluid overload

Can hantavirus be treated?

There is no specific treatment or cure but patients have a better chance of survival if they receive medical attention early

Researchers say many aspects of the disease remain unclear, including why symptoms vary widely among patients

with Reuters