Andes Virus HCPS Outbreak Aboard MV Hondius Raises Suspected Human-to-Human Transmission
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An outbreak of hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) caused by Andes virus occurred aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius, with suspected human-to-human transmission. Andes virus is one of the few hantaviruses known to spread between people, and its incubation period can reach about 42 days, complicating contact tracing during and after the voyage. Expert clinical review explains the virus enters endothelial cells via receptors including beta-3 integrin and protocadherin 1, disrupting the barrier and sensitizing cells to VEGF so red blood cells leak into alveoli, producing non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema often requiring ECMO, which markedly improves survival. T-cell responses track with disease severity. Prolonged post-exposure monitoring and infection control have been called for; how far transmission spread among passengers and crew remains open.
Written by a model from the reports · updated 2 hours ago
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- youtube.comAndes Virus HCPS Outbreak Aboard MV Hondius Raises Suspected Human-to-Human Transmission
An outbreak of Andes virus hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) occurred aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius, with suspected human-to-human transmission. Andes virus is one of the few hantaviruses known to spread between people, and its incubation period can reach about 42 days, complicating contact tracing during and after the voyage. MedCram's clinical review notes the virus damages pulmonary microvascular endothelium, causing capillary leak and non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema often requiring ECMO, and calls for prolonged post-exposure monitoring and infection control.
- youtube.comMedCram Explains How Hantavirus Kills Through Alveolar Endothelial Leakage and Why ECMO Helps
MedCram's 16-minute expert review explains that hantavirus enters endothelial cells via receptors including beta-3 integrin and protocadherin 1 (PCDH1), disrupting the endothelial barrier without lysing cells. Pathogenic hantaviruses sensitize endothelial cells to VEGF, opening junctions so red blood cells leak into alveoli and fill the lungs with blood. T-cell responses track with disease severity, and ECMO markedly improves survival, guiding targeted intervention along the virus-receptor-leak pathway.
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