What do we need to know about the hantavirus outbreak?
Context:
An outbreak of the Andes strain of hantavirus on the cruise ship MV Hondius has led to several confirmed cases and deaths, sparking concern due to this specific strain's rare potential for human-to-human transmission.
Members of the media may directly contact the following experts:
Raywat Deonandan (English only)
Full Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences, & Research Chair in University Teaching
Professor Deonandan is a global health epidemiologist and award-winning science communicator who specializes in the ethics of reproductive technologies, digital health pedagogy, and the application of evidence-based analysis to pandemic response and population health.
“The hantavirus outbreak is serious, concerning, and scientifically interesting. But it's not yet a COVID-level global threat.”
For further reading, check out Professor Raywat Deonandan’s perspective on hantavirus in Let’s Talk About Hantavirus. Raywat / blog, epidemiology / 0 comment | by Raywat Deonandan | May, 2026 | Medium