Peracetic acid: effective disinfection against Hantavirus

The recent hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship in the South Atlantic has brought renewed attention to the critical importance of effective disinfection protocols in preventing viral transmission. As health authorities worldwide respond to this emerging threat, understanding the role of proven disinfectants like peracetic acid becomes essential for protecting public health.

Understanding the current Hantavirus threat

As of May 6, 2026, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has reported seven cases in a hantavirus-associated cluster of illness on a cruise ship, including three deaths, one critically ill, two symptomatic and one with unknown status. This outbreak, involving passengers from 23 different nationalities including nine EU/EEA Member States, underscores the global nature of infectious disease threats and the need for robust prevention measures.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), hantaviruses are zoonotic viruses that naturally infect rodents and are occasionally transmitted to humans, with infection in people resulting in severe illness and often death. The current outbreak involves the Andes virus (ANDV), a particularly concerning strain because it is currently the only known hantavirus for which limited human‑to‑human transmission among contacts has been documented.

Transmission and environmental persistence

WHO explains that transmission of hantaviruses to humans occurs from contact with contaminated urine, droppings or saliva of infected rodents, though infection may also occur through rodent bites. Importantly, the ECDC assessment indicates that the current hypothesis is that some passengers were exposed to ANDV while spending time in Argentina before embarking, where ANDV is endemic, and may subsequently have transmitted the virus to other passengers onboard the cruise ship.

This highlights a critical aspect of hantavirus prevention: while primary transmission occurs through contact with infected rodents, secondary transmission between humans can occur in closed environments. ECDC considers everyone on the ship to be close contacts, due to the closed setting and shared social areas and activities.

The critical role of surface disinfection

The cruise ship outbreak demonstrates how quickly infectious diseases can spread in closed environments with shared surfaces and limited ventilation. ECDC recommendations include enhanced precautions such as frequent handwashing, respiratory etiquette, and physical distancing, along with infection prevention and control (IPC) guidance for healthcare settings.

Surface disinfection plays a vital role in breaking transmission chains, particularly in:

• Healthcare facilities treating suspected cases
• Enclosed spaces with potential contamination
• Shared areas and transportation
• Laboratory settings handling samples

Why peracetic acid stands out

Peracetic acid offers several advantages for hantavirus disinfection:

1. Rapid action: Complete viral inactivation in less than 10 minutes at working concentrations
2. Broad spectrum: Effective against encapsulated viruses like hantavirus
3. Environmental safety: Decomposes into water, oxygen, and acetic acid
4. Residue-free: No toxic residues remain after application
5. Versatility: Suitable for surfaces, equipment, and closed systems

The table shows the data available in literature, as well as in official recommendations.

Applications in current response

Given the current outbreak, peracetic acid-based disinfectants are particularly valuable for:

• Healthcare settings

WHO emphasizes that in health-care environments, standard precautions should be applied for all patients, with transmission-based precautions for suspected or confirmed hantavirus infection. Peracetic acid provides reliable surface disinfection that supports these protocols.

• Transportation and cruise industries

The cruise ship outbreak highlights the need for enhanced disinfection protocols in transportation. Peracetic acid’s rapid action and lack of toxic residues make it ideal for passenger areas, cabins, and dining facilities.

• Laboratory safety

WHO notes that samples collected from patients are a biohazard risk, with laboratory testing requiring maximum biological containment conditions. Peracetic acid provides essential decontamination for laboratory surfaces and equipment.

Global health perspective

WHO reports that hantavirus infections are associated with case fatality rates of <1–15% in Asia and Europe and up to 50% in the Americas, with an estimated 10,000 to over 100,000 infections occurring annually worldwide. These sobering statistics underscore the importance of prevention measures, including effective disinfection.

The current outbreak serves as a reminder that emerging infectious diseases can affect global travel and commerce. ECDC’s assessment that “the risk to the general population in the EU/EEA from ANDV spreading from this cruise ship outbreak is very low” is reassuring, but it depends on continued vigilance and proper infection control measures.

Christeyns’ commitment to public health

At Christeyns, we recognise our responsibility to provide scientifically backed disinfection solutions during health emergencies. Our peracetic acid-based products, including MIDA® CHRIOX range for food applications, and Peracid Forte for textile disinfection, have been developed with over 30 years of expertise and are:

• Registered/authorised nationally under transitional measures according to EU Biocidal Products Regulation (EU) No. 528/2012
• Tested according to European standards including EN14476 for virucidal activity
• Manufactured under ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certification
• Proven effective against a broad spectrum of microorganisms including encapsulated viruses

Looking forward: preparedness and prevention

The hantavirus outbreak reinforces several key lessons:

1. Global connectivity means local outbreaks can quickly become international concerns
2. Closed environments require enhanced disinfection protocols
3. Rapid response depends on having proven disinfectants readily available
4. Scientific evidence must guide disinfection choices

As WHO states, “preventing hantavirus infection depends primarily on reducing contacts between people and rodents,” but when exposure occurs, effective disinfection becomes a critical secondary defence.

Conclusion

The current hantavirus outbreak serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by emerging infectious diseases. While we work to control this immediate crisis, we must also prepare for future challenges. Peracetic acid stands as a proven, reliable tool in our disinfection arsenal—one that can help break transmission chains and protect public health.

For healthcare facilities, transportation companies, laboratories, and any organisation dealing with potential viral contamination, the choice of disinfectant matters. The science is clear: peracetic acid provides rapid, effective inactivation of hantavirus and other dangerous pathogens.

*At Christeyns, we stand ready to support health authorities, healthcare facilities, and industries worldwide with scientifically proven disinfection solutions. We are a leading European producer of peracetic acid with over 30 years of experience in developing safe, effective disinfection solutions. We are a member of the Peracetic Acid Registration group (PAR) and work closely with industry associations including CEFIC (European Council of the Chemical Industry).

For technical guidance on product selection and application protocols, contact our team of experts.

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Sources:

– European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. (2026). Hantavirus-associated cluster of illness on a cruise ship: ECDC assessment and recommendations. Retrieved from https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/hantavirus-associated-cluster-illness-cruise-ship-ecdc-assessment-and

– World Health Organization. (2026). Hantavirus Fact Sheet. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hantavirus

– Maes, P., et al. (2007). Evaluation of the efficacy of disinfectants against Puumala hantavirus by real-time RT-PCR. Journal of Virological Methods.