Hantavirus: Your questions answered - Doherty Institute
Read original atdoherty.edu.au
Victoria, AustraliaConfidence 90%3 weeks ago
The Doherty Institute addresses common questions about hantavirus, stating it's highly unlikely to reach Australia and poses a very low risk to Australian travelers, despite global reports.
Species mentioned
- rodents
Source articles
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- PrimaryHantavirus: Your questions answered - Doherty Institute
doherty.edu.au · 2026-05-08
The Doherty Institute in Australia states that hantavirus is very unlikely to reach Australian shores, as human infections do not occur within Australia. While reports of infection on a cruise ship are notable, the risk to Australian travelers remains very low. Hantavirus spreads from rodents, with very rare cases of person-to-person transmission. There is no specific treatment, but supportive care helps patients recover. The Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory (VIDRL) at the Doherty Institute has not detected any hantavirus cases in over 25 years of testing.
Reminder
This report is an aggregated summary of public information for surveillance and awareness purposes only. It is not medical advice. For symptoms, exposure, or clinical decisions, contact a qualified clinician or your local public-health authority.