Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 01:43pm on 08 May 2026,Friday Health & Wellness
The World Health Organization has clarified that the recent hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius is not comparable to Covid-19 or influenza, stressing that the virus spreads very differently. WHO officials said the Andes strain involved can pass between humans only through prolonged close contact, unlike airborne viruses such as Covid. The outbreak has so far caused three deaths and several confirmed infections across multiple countries. Health authorities are tracing passengers and monitoring possible exposures after some travelers disembarked before quarantine measures began. WHO believes the outbreak remains limited and manageable, though additional cases may still emerge due to the virus’s long incubation period. (PC: NDTV)
