Hantavirus much less contagious than COVID-19, says Dutch doctor

Concerns about the hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship MV Hondius have been somewhat allayed by insights from Dr. Karin Ellen Veldkamp, head of infectious diseases at Leiden University Medical Centre in the Netherlands. In an interview with AFP, Dr. Veldkamp clarified that the virus, while serious, does not pose the same transmission risk as COVID-19. She explained that while person-to-person transmission is a possibility and is suspected to have occurred on the ship, it is considerably more challenging than the rapid spread seen with the coronavirus. This distinction is crucial for public understanding and to prevent undue panic. The Dutch medical unit is prepared to receive more patients if necessary, emphasizing their robust protocols for patient care within isolation rooms, managed by highly trained staff. The focus remains on providing excellent care while maintaining strict disease control. Patients are isolated until symptoms subside and subsequent tests return negative. The hospital's capacity and the availability of other facilities in the Netherlands mean the burden can be shared if an outbreak were to escalate. This measured response, grounded in scientific understanding and preparedness, aims to manage the situation effectively without causing widespread alarm, highlighting the Netherlands' capacity to handle infectious disease threats.

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No, it is not like that. It is not easily transmissible from person to person.