Hantavirus: A Hidden Epidemic in Our Backcountry The recent outbreak of hantavirus on a cruise ship has highlighted the risks associated with this rare disease.
While it's true that backpackers and outdoor enthusiasts are at greater risk than cruise ship passengers, human to human transmission is extremely rare. Infection primarily comes from contact with mice and rodents.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control, there have been 890 reported cases of hantavirus in the United States between 1993 and 2023, with a fatality rate of 35%.