A hantavirus outbreak linked to a cruise ship that recently arrived in Spain has raised international attention, but health experts say the risk to Thailand remains very low, Bangkok Post reports.
According to Thai virologist Prof Dr Yong Poovorawan of Chulalongkorn University, the virus is typically transmitted through contact with rodents, especially via inhaling dust contaminated with urine, droppings or saliva.
In rare cases, it can also spread through rodent bites, but human-to-human transmission is generally not seen.
The strain currently in the headlines, linked to the outbreak on the cruise ship, is the Andes strain – a version known for its higher severity and limited human-to-human transmission.
Symptoms can include high fever, muscle pain, headache, nausea and vomiting. In severe cases, the infection may lead to kidney failure or serious lung complications.
The Andes strain has a reported fatality rate of 30–40%.
However, Prof Dr Yong stressed that this specific strain is not present in Thailand. While other hantavirus strains do exist in the country, they have been circulating for decades and are considered a different, far less concerning variant.
“The risk for Thailand is very low,” he said, adding that there is “no cause for concern.”
For expats and travellers in Thailand, the key risk remains the same as before: avoiding contact with rodents and maintaining basic hygiene, particularly in rural or poorly maintained environments.
