Scientists Deploy Traps to Track Hantavirus Carriers After Fatal Cruise Ship Outbreak

Scientists have deployed 150 traps in Tierra del Fuego as they investigate carriers of hantavirus following a deadly outbreak on a cruise ship. The expedition cruise vessel MV Hondius, which departed from Ushuaia in southern Argentina on April 1, experienced a hantavirus outbreak that killed three passengers. Researchers are now working to identify the animal hosts responsible for transmitting the virus in the region. Hantavirus is typically spread to humans through contact with infected rodents or their droppings, and outbreaks are rare but can be fatal, making the investigation crucial for preventing future incidents.