Hantavirus is a virus that can be transmitted through breathing the dust of dried rat droppings or waste. This specific strain of hantavirus, the Andes strain, is known as one of the few strains that can transmit the disease to humans. Many medical professionals say that the danger to the rest of the world is low, even though there has been an outbreak.
Currently, “there have been nine laboratory-confirmed cases among people on board the Hondius and two suspected cases.” (NBC NEWS) A Canadian passenger had also been confirmed to have hantavirus. Many experts are investigating exactly how the virus spreads. Many people are worried that this hantavirus outbreak will be similar to the COVID-19 pandemic. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated, “We have been repeating the same answer many times. This is not another COVID. And the risk to the public is low. So they shouldn’t be scared, and they shouldn’t panic.”