Hantavirus survivors recount near-fatal infections and long recovery journeys

This BBC feature profiles two hantavirus survivors—Lorne Warburton (Canada, March 2023) and Christian Ege (Germany, May 2019)—who recount severe illness requiring hospitalization and life support. Warburton contracted the virus from mouse droppings; Ege's source was traced to rodent contamination in his garden. Both experienced Covid-like symptoms that rapidly progressed to respiratory distress, kidney dysfunction, and sepsis. Treatment relies on supportive care; no vaccine or specific antiviral exists. Recovery took 18 months for Warburton, 4 months for Ege, with lasting complications including atrial fibrillation in Warburton. The article also references three deaths aboard cruise ship MV Hondius departing Argentina, with a British passenger evacuated to the Netherlands. Hantavirus mortality rates range 20–40% depending on strain.