News of the week in plain Finnish | Saturday 16.5.2026

Hantavirus

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There has been a lot of talk about hantavirus in recent weeks.

The Dutch cruise ship Hondius was sailing in the Atlantic when a hantavirus outbreak broke out on board. Ten people have now been confirmed to be infected with the virus.

The possible spread of the virus has raised concerns, as it has brought to mind the coronavirus pandemic for many people.

Now we will tell you more about it.

Hantavirus spread on the ship

MV Hondius cruise ship photographed from the air.

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The Hondius ship’s journey began in Argentina. Photo: AFP

In recent weeks, the hantavirus epidemic on a Dutch cruise ship has been closely monitored.

There were approximately 150 people on board. So far, 10 people have been confirmed to have been infected with hantavirus. 3 people have died from hantavirus.

The ship’s passengers were evacuated from Tenerife last weekend. All passengers will have to remain in quarantine for over a month to ensure they are healthy.

The disease begins with flu symptoms

A worker wearing protective gloves holds a box of sample tubes.

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Tests confirmed that the Andes type of hantavirus, which is also transmitted from person to person, was spreading on the ship. Photo: Argentine Health Minister / AFP

Hantavirus is spread by rodents, such as rats and voles. However, the Andes type of hantavirus, which is also transmitted from person to person, was spread on the ship.

Hantavirus causes a disease whose symptoms initially resemble those of the flu or stomach flu. There is no vaccine or drug treatment for the disease. Two-thirds of patients recover, says virology professor Olli Vapalahti.

The Hantavirus epidemic has brought the coronavirus pandemic to people’s minds.

However, the World Health Organization (WHO) says that hantavirus is not contagious and mutates poorly, which means it cannot cause a pandemic like the coronavirus.

Exposed to quarantine

Cruise ship passengers in protective suits are transferred to the port by boat.

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Passengers on the Hondius cruise ship were evacuated from Tenerife last weekend. Photo: Jose Guerrero / AFP

There were no Finns on the cruise ship and no hantavirus infections have been detected in Finland.

However, 2 Finns have been exposed to the virus. They were on the same plane as a person who later died from hantavirus. The Finns are now in quarantine. They have no symptoms of infection.

In Finland, hantavirus was added to the list of infectious diseases of general concern this week. Following the addition, people in Finland who have been exposed to hantavirus can be quarantined.

Repetition

Fartyget MV Hondius för ankar öppö Tenerife.

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Photo: Alberto Valdes/EPA

Let’s repeat a little.

A hantavirus epidemic broke out on a Dutch cruise ship.

Hantavirus infection has been diagnosed in 10 people so far.

The World Health Organization says that hantavirus cannot cause a pandemic like the coronavirus.

Here was the news of the week in plain Finnish, for those who heard it.