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ustralians returning from overseas travel and frontline healthcare workers are being urged to consider wearing P2 respirators as experts monitor concerns around hantavirus exposure linked to an affected cruise ship.
Researchers from the University of the Sunshine Coast say the overall risk to the wider Australian public remains low, though healthcare settings require extra caution due to the potential handling of infected patients and contaminated materials.
The warning comes as Australian passengers from the cruise ship prepare to return home, with quarantine arrangements initially planned in Perth.
Associate Professor Erin Price, Associate Professor Joanne Macdonald and Senior Lecturer Matt Mason said P2 and N95 respirators offered stronger protection than standard surgical or cloth masks because they form a tighter seal around the face and filter airborne particles more effectively.
The academics said healthcare workers should remain alert for possible imported cases, particularly patients with recent travel histories or contact with travellers.
“Like COVID, the elevated risk to Australian healthcare staff cannot be overstated,” they wrote in a public Q&A issued through the university.
The researchers pointed to reports from the Netherlands where 12 healthcare workers entered mandatory quarantine after improper handling of blood and urine from a hospitalised hantavirus patient.
They advised Australian nurses, doctors, paramedics, laboratory workers and support staff to use protective equipment including respirators, gloves, gowns and eye protection when dealing with potentially infectious cases.
Hantaviruses are typically spread through contact with infected rodents or exposure to contaminated urine, droppings or saliva. Some strains can lead to severe respiratory illness, though transmission patterns differ between variants and regions.
The academics stressed that ordinary travellers should avoid panic while taking practical precautions, especially in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces.
“If you’re concerned about hantavirus, especially if you’re travelling overseas, the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is to wear a P2 (N95) or higher respirator,” they said.
The experts noted that respirators may also reduce exposure to other respiratory viruses including influenza, RSV and COVID-19.
They also recommended regular hand washing, use of sanitiser and avoiding touching the face after contact with shared surfaces. Extra care during long-haul travel, such as cleaning aeroplane tray tables and washing clothes after flights, could provide another layer of protection.
While there is currently no vaccine or targeted antiviral treatment for hantavirus, public health authorities have not indicated any widespread threat within Australia at this stage.
The comments from the university experts arrive amid broader discussions about infection control standards following the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly around respiratory protection for healthcare workers and international travellers. Some infectious disease specialists have previously argued that awareness around airborne protection tends to rise during outbreaks before easing once immediate concerns pass.
The academics said access to respirators was no longer limited, with P2 and N95 masks now widely sold through pharmacies, supermarkets, hardware stores and online retailers across Australia.
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