Hantavirus outbreak not the start of a pandemic, says World Health Organization

World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed on May 7, 2026, that a recent deadly hantavirus outbreak is not the start of a new global pandemic. WHO experts, including Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, emphasized that the public health risk remains low because hantaviruses spread differently and far less easily than COVID-19.The Source: The outbreak is centered on the MV Hondius, a polar expedition cruise ship that departed from Argentina on April 1, 2026.Current Toll: As of May 8, 2026, there are five confirmed cases and three deaths. The victims include two Britons and a Dutch national.The Virus Strain: It has been identified as the Andes hantavirus. While most hantaviruses only spread from rodents to humans, this specific strain is rare because it can be transmitted between humans through prolonged, close, and intimate contact—not through casual encounters or widely through the air like a coronavirus.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/today-explained--6659607/support.Don’t miss our latest episodes! follow us to stay updates with fresh news everyday. Let’s keep the support our podcast to serve update news entire the world!