Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 08:51am on 08 May 2026,Friday Health & Wellness
The World Health Organization said the current Hantavirus outbreak is not similar to Covid-19 and is unlikely to become a pandemic. WHO official Maria Van Kerkhove said hantavirus spreads very differently and mainly requires close and prolonged contact. The outbreak is linked to a cruise ship and involves the Andes strain, which can rarely spread between humans. WHO officials said public health measures like contact tracing and isolation can stop further spread. The organisation added that the risk to the public remains low. Hantavirus usually spreads through contact with infected rodent urine, saliva or droppings.
