You’ve probably seen a lot of posts about hantavirus lately.
Some people are worried. Others are saying there’s nothing to worry about. And maybe you’re not sure what to think.
So here’s a quick roundup of what hantaviruses are, what the Andes virus is, what happened during the recent cruise ship outbreak, and why experts say this is not “the next COVID-19 pandemic.”
Swipe through for the science, the context, and what you should actually know about the situation.
Public health situations like this can quickly fuel misinformation, conspiracy theories, fear-based content online, and people trying to sell unproven products online. Be cautious of posts designed to create panic or sell ‘miracle’ cures.”
Sources
- Causes of a hantavirus infection | Government of Canada
- About Hantavirus | Hantavirus | CDC | May 13, 2024
- What Is Hantavirus? | JAMA | May 2025
- Hantavirus | National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Diseases
- About Andes Virus | Hantavirus | CDC | May 9, 2026
- Person-to-Person Transmission of Andes Virus in Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, Argentina, 2014 | Emerging Infectious Diseases | April 2020
- Treatment of diseases caused by hantaviruses | Government of Canada
- Andes hantavirus outbreak in cruise ship, 21 May 2026 | European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control | May 21, 2026
- Hantavirus cluster linked to cruise ship travel, Multi-country | World Health Organization | May 8, 2026
- Hantavirus outbreak doesn’t appear to have originated on Dutch cruise ship, CEO says | CBC News | May 19, 2026
- Media update on Andes hantavirus situation | Government of Canada | May 17, 2026
- Andes Virus Outbreak on a Cruise Ship: Current Situation | Hantavirus | CDC | May 19, 2026
- Rapid risk assessment: Hantavirus (Andes virus) outbreak on international cruise ship | Government of Canada | May 8, 2026
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