JMU expert: Common illnesses, not hantavirus, pose greatest cruise, travel risk

HARRISONBURG, Va. — Travelers booked on cruises this summer, or considering booking, shouldn’t change their plans out of fear of hantavirus, a James Madison University researcher says. 

“Travelers should be aware of more common viral illnesses that occur in cruise settings. These include norovirus, seasonal respiratory viruses, COVID-19 and influenza,” said Sojib Zaman, a professor of health sciences who has been included in Stanford/Elsevier’s 2% Top Scientist rankings the past four years. 

Beyond cruise travel, Zaman can offer insight into how different destinations and travel styles can influence disease risk and what steps people can take to stay healthy on the move. 

Zaman said one of the biggest mistakes travelers make is underestimating mild symptoms and continuing to participate in group activities. 

“This increases the risk of spreading illness to others and can prolong their own recovery,” he said. “Another frequent issue is overreliance on hand sanitizer alone. While it is convenient, it does not replace proper handwashing, particularly for illnesses like norovirus.”