When rare zoonoses travel: Andes virus, hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome, and the preparedness gap
International Journal of Infectious Diseases·
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.ijid.2026.108778
- PMID
- 42107872
- PMCID
- —
- OpenAlex
- W7160871441
- Study type
- Journal article
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Article type
- journal-article
- Integrity
- current
Why this research matters now
By addressing the intersection of expedition travel, maritime healthcare, and cross-sectoral monitoring, the work underscores strategies to contain uncommon infectious threats before they expand across borders.
Structured evidence summary
Research question
This commentary examines the readiness challenges associated with managing uncommon zoonotic diseases within confined, mobile environments, using a recent cruise ship cluster as a reference point.
Study design
The article is structured as a peer-reviewed commentary that synthesizes existing information rather than reporting original empirical research.
Population and setting
The discussion centers on travelers and crew aboard expedition vessels operating in remote regions, alongside general populations exposed to rodent reservoirs in specific geographic areas.
Main findings
The authors identify significant shortcomings in responding to uncommon zoonotic outbreaks within restricted travel environments, noting diagnostic hurdles, the absence of targeted antiviral treatments, and specific host genetic markers that may influence disease severity. They emphasize the necessity of combining maritime medical protocols with broader ecological monitoring to intercept emerging threats early.
Public-health relevance
By addressing the intersection of expedition travel, maritime healthcare, and cross-sectoral monitoring, the work underscores strategies to contain uncommon infectious threats before they expand across borders.
Important limitations
As a narrative commentary, the article relies on synthesized observations rather than original empirical data or controlled clinical evaluations.
GIDS interpretation
Within a global health intelligence framework, this publication provides contextual background on the operational complexities of tracking uncommon animal-borne pathogens during international transit, highlighting where current monitoring networks may require enhanced coordination.
Related GIDS surveillance
Literature context does not validate, explain, or change a surveillance signal. Exact and contextual relationships are shown separately.
Evidence relationships
This article has 6 auditable classifier relationships to diseases, places, topics, and study design.