There’s no proven cure for hantavirus — and doctors say ivermectin isn’t one

Eighteen passengers from the hantavirus-infected cruise ship *MV Hondius* arrived in the Canary Islands on May 11, preparing to return to the U.S. under quarantine. None have shown symptoms yet, though one tested positive abroad without current illness, and another exhibits symptoms of unknown origin. Health officials plan to monitor passengers for 42 days, either at home or in specialized units at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Emory University in Atlanta. Nine additional exposed individuals, linked to the ship or international flights, are also under observation across six U.S. states. The Andes hantavirus strain aboard the ship is one of 24 known to infect humans, the only type capable of person-to-person transmission. It causes hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome, marked by fever, muscle aches, and severe lung and heart complications, including fluid buildup and shock. Symptoms worsen rapidly, with no specific cure available. Doctors stress that ivermectin, an antiparasitic drug promoted on social media, is not an effective treatment. Current care focuses on managing symptoms, such as oxygen support or blood pressure medication. While ribavirin has shown limited success against other hantavirus strains causing kidney failure, it has not been proven effective for the Andes strain affecting the heart and lungs. The World Health Organization confirms the virus spreads primarily through rodent exposure, though human transmission is rare. Public health agencies are coordinating responses, including monitoring exposed travelers and assessing potential risks. No deaths have been reported among the passengers, but the outbreak underscores the lack of treatment options for hantavirus infections.