WHO finally issue statement on likelihood of hantavirus becoming the “next covid” ally issues statement afterChase Chrisley is diagnosed with hantavirus — Health experts now address growing fears over whether it could become the “next COVID” 😨👇

 

WHO Addresses Fears That Hantavirus Could Become the “Next COVID”: What Health Experts Actually Say

A new wave of concern surrounding hantavirus has led to comparisons with the COVID-19 pandemic, with alarming social-media posts asking whether the virus could become the “next COVID.”

The concern intensified after a serious hantavirus cluster was identified among passengers and crew connected to a cruise ship in 2026. The outbreak involved the Andes virus, a type of hantavirus associated with severe disease and, unlike most hantaviruses, capable of rare person-to-person transmission.

But health authorities have emphasized an important distinction.

Hantavirus is not behaving like COVID-19.

The World Health Organization has reported that the risk to the general public remains low, while public-health authorities continue investigating the outbreak and monitoring people who may have been exposed. (Organisation Mondiale de la Santé)

That distinction is critical because the phrase “next COVID” can create the impression that another global pandemic is already developing.

Current evidence does not support that conclusion.

Why Hantavirus Is Suddenly Getting So Much Attention

Hantavirus is not a new virus.

Different hantaviruses have been known for decades, and human infections have occurred in several parts of the world.

What changed in 2026 was the emergence of a significant cluster associated with cruise travel.

According to the WHO, a cluster of severe respiratory illness was reported aboard a cruise ship in early May. The vessel was carrying 147 passengers and crew, and initial reports included laboratory-confirmed hantavirus infections, suspected cases, and deaths. (

Further investigation identified the virus as Andes virus.

That detail immediately attracted scientific attention because Andes virus is unusual among hantaviruses.

Most hantaviruses are primarily acquired through exposure to infected rodents or their urine, feces, saliva, or contaminated environments.

Andes virus can also spread between people, although this type of transmission is rare and generally associated with close contact

The discovery naturally raised questions.

Could the virus spread more widely?

Could it move through communities?

Could it eventually become a global pandemic?