History has a frustrating way of repeating itself in public health. Currently, as we monitor reports of Andes Hantavirus, a disturbing pattern is emerging: a hesitation to adopt the precautionary principle despite the devastating lessons of SARS-1 in 2003 and the COVID-19 pandemic.
(more…)Category: 2026 Hantavirus Outbreak
Worried About Hantavirus? What Canadians Need to Know Before Opening Cottages, Cabins, and Sheds This Spring
As Canadians begin opening cottages, cabins, garages, and sheds after the winter season, public health experts are reminding the public about an important—but often overlooked—health risk: hantaviruses.
(more…)The MV Hondius Outbreak: Understanding the Clinical Implications of Andes Hantavirus in a Maritime Setting
As of early May 2026, international health authorities, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), are closely monitoring a cluster of Hantavirus cases linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius. With four Canadians confirmed among the passengers and a reported case already receiving treatment in Switzerland, this situation highlights the complex intersection of travel medicine, zoonotic disease, and the rare but critical potential for human-to-human transmission.
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