Andes virus linked to cruise ship deaths raises concern over human-to-human spread

As health officials track the hantavirus outbreak that began on the MV Hondius cruise ship, attention is turning to the Andes virus, a rare strain from South America that is causing concern.

The virus stemming from the cruise ship, which has caused around eight cases and three deaths as of May 11, was identified by the World Health Organization as the Andes strain.

Unlike most forms of hantavirus, which spread from rodents to humans, Andes is the only strain that is able to transmit from person to person...