We had about ten virus predictions in 2025 & 6, some focused on May, that there would be an outbreak, although some may have been about measles which has also been spreading; and now this variation of the Hantavirus is in the news, one that is transmissable human to human.
So I'd like this thread to be a place where we can share verifiable news and data about this virus. Here is what I found so far and DO CORRECT ANYTHING that is wrong:
https://www.instagram.com/reels/DU8qePgjxy1/
A hantavirus outbreak linked to the expedition cruise ship MV Hondius has caused three deaths and several confirmed or suspected illnesses. The ship had been traveling from Ushuaia, Argentina, through the South Atlantic. WHO was notified on May 2; its May 4 update reported seven cases total: two lab-confirmed and five suspected, including three deaths. Later reporting says at least five people from the ship have tested positive for Andes virus, a South American hantavirus strain.
The most important point: this is not COVID-like transmission. WHO says hantavirus is usually acquired from infected rodents’ urine, droppings, or saliva, often through contaminated dust or surfaces. However, WHO also confirms that limited person-to-person transmission has been reported with Andes virus, especially among people with close and prolonged contact, such as household members, cabin mates, caregivers, or healthcare workers.
WHO currently assesses the risk to the global population as low, while continuing to monitor the situation. WHO advises active symptom monitoring for 45 days, prompt isolation of anyone with symptoms, hand hygiene, ship sanitation, avoiding dry sweeping, ventilation, and medical masks for symptomatic people with respiratory symptoms.
The concern is that 29 to about 40 passengers disembarked at St. Helena on April 24 before contact tracing was completed, and some returned to multiple countries. Health authorities are now tracing contacts across several continents. A flight crew member in Amsterdam who had contact with an infected passenger is reportedly being tested and isolated; if positive, she could be the first known infection in this outbreak among someone who was not on the ship.
Symptoms can begin one to eight weeks after exposure and may include fever, chills, muscle aches, dizziness, gastrointestinal symptoms, and then sudden respiratory distress. WHO says there is no approved specific antiviral treatment for hantavirus pulmonary syndrome; care is mainly urgent supportive care, often ICU-level if severe.
Bottom line
This outbreak is serious because Andes virus can be deadly and, unlike most hantaviruses, can sometimes spread between people. But WHO is not describing this as a pandemic-style threat. The current risk appears concentrated among people who were on the ship, traveled closely with infected passengers, shared cabins, cared for sick people, or had prolonged close exposure. The prudent response is contact tracing, isolation of high-risk contacts, and 45 days of symptom monitoring—not public panic.
@lovendures @bluebelle @cc21 @sealion