Hantavirus fears spark COVID flashbacks, but experts say there’s one major difference

Concerns about rising hantavirus cases has Americans reflecting on the coronavirus pandemic.

Although COVID-19 began with a foreign strain and spread rapidly around the world, experts say it’s not likely that hantavirus will behave the same way.

The rare Andes virus, which was linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak, is the only known hantavirus strain that has the capability to spread from person to person, usually through prolonged close contact.

RARE HANTAVIRUS HUMAN-TO-HUMAN TRANSMISSION SUSPECTED ON LUXURY CRUISE SHIP WHERE 3 HAVE DIED

Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel spoke with Fox News Digital about the similarities and differences between hantavirus and coronavirus, noting that there is "no comparison."

"You could say the comparison ends at that they're both single-stranded RNA viruses," he said. "That's a comparison, but [hantavirus] has been unchanged basically for decades."

Coronavirus was different because it began to mutate, which started to cause "all kinds of problems," Siegel noted.

"We don't know why it started to mutate, but this one doesn't appear to have done that," he said. "And every day that goes by seems to show that theory is correct – the genetics of it is the same."

DR MARC SIEGEL: HANTAVIRUS CRUISE OUTBREAK IS ALARMING BUT FEAR IS SPREADING FASTER THAN FACTS

"So, there's no comparison between these two viruses, other than that the single-stranded RNA viruses are both carried by animals."

Siegel added that COVID is an airborne virus, while hantavirus is mainly a secretion-borne virus, although it can be transmitted through dust and droppings in the air.

"It's not airborne ... in terms of respiratory droplets hanging in the air," he said. "It's very difficult to transmit."

While coronavirus "moved in the direction of humans in a significant way," hantavirus has not, except for "very rare" human-to-human transmission, according to the doctor.

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There have been hantavirus cases in the U.S. for decades, although they are "very rare," Siegel noted.

Certain factors of this disease spread are changing, including warming temperatures that are causing rodents to migrate north toward Buenos Aires, according to the doctor.

DEADLY CRUISE VIRUS TIMELINE SHOWS HOW HANTAVIRUS SPREAD AMONG PASSENGERS

The current outbreak stemming from the cruise ship did not help the cause, Siegel went on — but this spread doesn’t suggest that the virus has changed. Rather, it shows how close quarters on a ship are "very conducive" to spread, he said.

"Every day that goes by shows that ... we're not seeing a second generation of spread," he reiterated.

The better comparison to make is between hantavirus and bird flu, which is a predominantly animal-based virus that "occasionally infects humans," Siegel said.

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"There are billions of birds, and every year we talk about how it's going to cause a pandemic, but it would have to mutate significantly," he pointed out. "I feel that [hantavirus] would have to mutate significantly before it could go human to human in any significant way, because this is basically an animal virus … it's very comfortable inside a rodent host."

Siegel went on, "If you get this virus, you're in trouble, but getting this virus is very difficult."

Regarding fears that another global pandemic may be looming, Siegel said that just because one virus becomes widespread does not mean all viruses will.

"Coronaviruses are airborne anyway. This is not. And coronaviruses mutate a lot, and this does not," he said. "I'm much more concerned about flu than this. Flu can mutate all the time, and it's already going human to human all over the place, and it’s airborne."

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"Most infectious disease specialists are much more worried about flu than this, as deadly as this can be," he added.

"We're talking apples and oranges, and any comparison you make after that provokes fear."

Fox News Digital’s Melissa Rudy contributed to this report.

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Experimental obesity drug outperforms traditional weight-loss treatments in early research

A new weight-loss drug variation is showing promise in early trials.

Research from the Institute for Diabetes and Obesity at Helmholtz Munich in Germany, published in the journal Nature, tested an experimental obesity and diabetes drug called GLP-1-GIP-Lani.

The drug combines GLP-1 and GIP — two natural hormones that help regulate appetite and blood sugar, similar to popular weight-loss drugs like Ozempic — with PPAR activity, which may improve insulin sensitivity, inflammation, fat metabolism and liver health.

'NEXT OZEMPIC' AIMS TO DELIVER 30% WEIGHT LOSS WITH FEWER SIDE EFFECTS

The team of researchers, led by Professor Timo D. Muller at Helmoltz Munich, called the drug a quintuple agonist, as it targets five receptor systems.

In a press release, Muller described the drug as a "Trojan horse": the incretin component — hormones that help regulate blood sugar and appetite — allows it to enter target cells, and once inside, the PPAR "cargo" activates to help the body better use insulin, process fat and reduce inflammation.

This allows for the dosage of the drug to be lower, which could reduce side effects.

"A major advantage is the amount," Muller said. "Because the second component is not administered separately and systemically, but ‘travels along’ with the incretin part, it can be used at a dose that is orders of magnitude lower."

NEW WEIGHT-LOSS SHOT SHOWS MAJOR FAT REDUCTION, BUT EXPERTS URGE CAUTION

The study tested the drug combination in mouse models, including mice with diabetes-induced obesity, insulin resistance and genetic obesity.

In these mice, the compound was found to lower body weight, food intake, fat mass, blood sugar and insulin-related problems more than GLP-1 and GIP alone. It also outperformed semaglutide.

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The researchers reported that typical gastrointestinal side effects were similar to those seen with existing therapies.

"We see a principle with strong effects in the animal model — now the task is to optimize the approach for humans and move it toward the clinic," Muller said in the release.

Dr. Peter Balazs, MD, a hormone and weight-loss specialist practicing in New York and New Jersey, said the drug is designed to target obesity and insulin resistance "at multiple key sites simultaneously, including the brain, pancreas and metabolic tissues."

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"This is a novel mechanism because it's not just relying on a higher dose of an existing drug," he told Fox News Digital in an interview.

"Current GLP-1 medications are highly effective appetite suppressants, while this quintuple agonist seems to function both as an 'appetite brake' and a metabolic engine," he added.

While traditional GLP-1s primarily reduce appetite, slow gastric emptying and increase insulin secretion, this quintuple agonist "appears to do all of the above" while also "directly improving insulin sensitivity in the liver and muscle, reducing inflammation in adipose tissue and remodeling lipid metabolism," the expert confirmed.

"The result may be greater weight loss through a combination of caloric restriction, enhanced fat oxidation and potentially increased central energy expenditure," Balazs said.

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Although the drug provides a "promising direction for the future," Balazs noted that the study was conducted only on mouse models and there is no human safety or efficacy data, which means the drug cannot yet be recommended for clinical use.

"Additionally, it was conducted over a relatively short period of time, so we cannot draw conclusions about long-term effects," he added.

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First clade I mpox case confirmed in Connecticut after patient traveled to Western Europe

A case of clade I mpox — a more virulent version of the virus that causes monkeypox, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — has been confirmed in the U.S., as global health officials also monitor newly reported hantavirus cases in Europe.

The Connecticut Department of Public Health (CDPH) said Wednesday that the state’s first identified case of clade I mpox was detected in a person who recently traveled to Western Europe, where officials continue to monitor infectious disease activity.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has also reported new hantavirus cases in Spain and France, drawing attention to the rare but potentially severe disease, which can cause serious respiratory complications in humans.

Hantavirus is typically spread through contact with infected rodents and can lead to severe respiratory illness, though cases remain rare, according to the WHO.

While health officials said the mpox case "does not pose a risk to the general public," they still encourage those who may be at risk to receive the JYNNEOS vaccine.

NEW MPOX STRAIN CONFIRMED IN US STATE FOR FIRST TIME

Mpox symptoms can include fever, swollen lymph nodes and a characteristic rash, according to CDC.

"Mpox hasn't gone away, and we want people to be protected, especially as many in our community prepare for travel, festivals, and gatherings this summer," CDPH Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani said in the release.

"The vaccine is safe, effective and widely available. Completing the two-dose series is the best way to protect yourself and your partners."

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Clade I and clade II mpox are genetically distinct forms of the virus with key differences in severity and geographic origin, according to the CDC and the WHO.

Clade I, historically identified in Central Africa, has been linked to more severe illness and higher mortality rates, with cases often involving more widespread rashes and complications.

Clade II, which has circulated primarily in West Africa, is generally associated with milder disease and drove the global outbreak beginning in 2022, when most patients experienced less severe symptoms and lower hospitalization and death rates, according to the WHO.

The CDC and WHO say distinguishing between the two clades helps guide risk assessments, particularly as international travel increases.

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Reported hantavirus protocol breach at hospital forces 12 employees into 6-week quarantine

A Dutch hospital has quarantined a dozen staff members following reports of a protocol breach involving a patient infected with hantavirus, hospital officials said Monday.

The breach occurred last week at Radboud University Medical Center in Nijmegen, Netherlands, after the facility admitted a patient tied to a rare and deadly hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius luxury cruise ship.

The hospital said the patient’s blood and urine were not processed and disposed of using the strictest international protocols required for handling the specific hantavirus strain.

"Because of these circumstances, 12 employees will go in preventive quarantine for six weeks as a precaution, despite the fact that the chance of infection is small," the hospital said.

RARE HANTAVIRUS HUMAN-TO-HUMAN TRANSMISSION SUSPECTED ON LUXURY CRUISE SHIP WHERE 3 HAVE DIED

According to the hospital, when the patient was admitted on May 7, their blood was processed according to standard procedures but should have been handled under stricter protocols required for the nature of the virus.

Staff also realized on Saturday that the most up-to-date international regulations for disposing of a hantavirus patient’s urine had not been followed. Instead, they had adhered to what was considered standard procedure.

Dutch Health Minister Sophie Hermans addressed the incident in Parliament on Tuesday, reassuring officials that the protocols that were followed were still considered strict.

"At Radboud Hospital in Nijmegen, strict procedures have been followed, but not the strictest procedures applicable in the case of this hantavirus," she said.

Hospital executives said they regretted what happened in a statement Monday, adding that they remain committed to providing care for any new hantavirus patients who may arrive.

CRUISE SHIP LINKED TO DEADLY HANTAVIRUS OUTBREAK ARRIVES OFF TENERIFE AS PASSENGER EVACUATION BEGINS

"Despite the fact that the chance of actual infection is very small, these measures have a major impact on all those involved. We regret that this happened in our [university medical center]. We will carefully investigate the course of events to learn from this so that it can be prevented in the future," Bertine Lahuis, chair of the hospital's executive board, said.

"Of course, we will ensure that the colleagues involved receive all the support they need. We have great appreciation for their commitment, and that of their colleagues, to ensure that care for the patient runs smoothly. In the meantime, our [university medical center] stands ready to admit any new patients should this be necessary."

The announcement marks a backtracking from earlier hospital statements during the patient’s admission that "appropriate isolation measures have been taken to prevent the spread of the virus, in accordance with internationally agreed protocols."

As of May 13, there have been 11 hantavirus cases — up from eight reported on May 8 — and three deaths, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.

THE EVERYDAY PLACES AMERICANS COULD BE EXPOSED TO HANTAVIRUS — WITHOUT KNOWING IT

The agency reported that two of the most recent cases have been confirmed and are from Spain and France. The French patient became symptomatic during repatriation, while the Spanish patient tested positive following repatriation and remains asymptomatic.

A third case returned inconclusive results, with the patient initially testing positive and later negative.

In total, eight cases are confirmed, two are probable and one is inconclusive. The three deaths also include two confirmed cases and one probable case.

Health officials say the virus can be deadly but poses a low risk to the public. Contact tracing for all individuals linked to the hantavirus-stricken cruise ship remains ongoing.

In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday added that it has deployed a team to the Canary Islands, where passengers disembarked, to provide onsite healthcare, including speaking with each American passenger at risk of potential exposure.

The CDC said it will not release exactly how many passengers are currently being monitored.

The outbreak began when a Dutch cruise ship carrying 147 passengers and crew departed Argentina on April 1 for a South Atlantic voyage. It is believed the initial infection was contracted by a passenger who may have been exposed to rodents during regional birdwatching activities prior to boarding, according to the WHO.

Following multiple infection reports, the ship docked in Spain’s Canary Islands on May 10, where the remaining passengers and most of the crew were evacuated under quarantine protocols.

Passengers have been repatriated to their home countries for a recommended 42-day isolation period.

The ship, along with a skeleton crew of 25 and two medical professionals, then sailed to Rotterdam, Netherlands, The Associated Press reported.

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Joe Rogan podcast appearance tied to rise in demand for alternative cancer treatment

Prescriptions for an antiparasitic drug spiked for cancer patients after a celebrity endorsed the medication during a recent episode of Joe Rogan’s podcast.

Ivermectin–benzimidazole, a combination of antiparasitic medications, was touted as an off-label cancer treatment during actor Mel Gibson’s January 2025 appearance.

Gibson spoke about three of his friends who had stage 4 cancer, noting that "all three of them don’t have cancer right now at all." When Rogan asked what treatments they used, Gibson replied, "Ivermectin, fenbendazole."

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Ivermectin is an antiparasitic medication used in humans and animals to treat infections caused by certain worms and parasites.

Fenbendazoleis, a veterinary antiparasitic drug used to treat worms in animals, belongs to the benzimidazole class of medications, according to medical sources.

"I don’t believe that there is anything that can afflict mankind that hasn’t got a natural cure for it," Gibson added.

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Researchers from the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, UCLA and the University of Michigan analyzed the health records of over 68 million patients in ambulatory care settings. 

They checked for increases in same-day prescribing of ivermectin plus a benzimidazole: albendazole, fenbendazole, mebendazole or thiabendazole – with the goal of determining whether Gibson’s endorsement resulted in a spike.

Following the episode, which was viewed 60 million times in the month after airing, overall prescribing rates nearly doubled, rising 2.5 times among cancer patients.

Among those patients, larger increases were seen in men, White patients, people ages 18-64 and those who lived in southern states, the researchers found.

The study, which was published in JAMA Network Open on Tuesday, did not measure any safety outcomes of the drug combination.

No clinical trials have supported the safety or effectiveness of ivermectin–benzimidazole for treating cancer, experts noted.

"Clinicians talk about how difficult it is when the patient demands or asks for a medication that they really feel passionately might help," said lead author Michelle Rockwell, PhD, RD, a health services researcher at Virginia Tech, in a press release. "And that's where I think these celebrity influencers really play a big role."

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While some laboratory and animal studies have shown that these drugs can promote anti-cancer activity, the required dose for even a small effect would "typically be considered toxic for humans," according to Skyler B. Johnson, MD, of the University of Utah Huntsman Cancer Institute.

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Johnson, who was not involved in the research, shared with CIDRAP News his concerns about ivermectin’s effect on how the body processes cancer treatments and other medications.

The study did have some limitations, including that it was observational in design and could not prove that Gibson’s appearance led to the increase in prescriptions. Also, the fact that prescriptions were ordered does not necessarily mean that they were filled or used.

It is also possible that some patients sought out ivermectin without a prescription, perhaps from agricultural retailers who sell it for livestock.

There is also the potential that cancer status was misclassified, the researchers noted.

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The study also did not assess whether patients were taking ivermectin alongside conventional treatment or if they used it as a substitute.

Patients should consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical guidance before making treatment decisions, doctors say.

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The everyday places Americans could be exposed to hantavirus — without knowing it

Amid the current hantavirus outbreak that started on the MV Hondius cruise ship as it sailed across the Atlantic, health experts are now examining whether Americans may be encountering the virus in everyday places without realizing it.

The rare Andes strain, which was linked to the MV Hondius outbreak, is the only known hantavirus that has the capability to spread from person to person, usually through prolonged close contact with an infected person.

Most cases of hantavirus in the U.S. occur in the desert southwest and on the west coast, according to Dr. Linda Yancey, an infectious disease specialist at Memorial Hermann in the Houston area.

ANDES VIRUS LINKED TO CRUISE SHIP DEATHS RAISES CONCERN OVER HUMAN-TO-HUMAN SPREAD

"In Texas, cases are mostly seen on the west side of the state," she told Fox News Digital. "The strain of hantavirus native to east Texas and west Louisiana, the Bayou strain, is not as infectious in humans as the western strain, the Sin Nombre strain."

Hantavirus is mainly spread through contact with infected rodents – primarily deer mice – and their urine, droppings or saliva, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

People can become infected after breathing in contaminated particles that are stirred into the air or touching contaminated surfaces and then touching their nose or mouth. More rarely, rodent bites can spread the virus.

HANTAVIRUS OUTBREAK TIMELINE HIGHLIGHTS KEY MOMENTS IN DEADLY CRUISE CRISIS

Exposure is most likely when cleaning enclosed or poorly ventilated areas where rodents may nest unnoticed for weeks or months, health officials say.

Risky locations can include garages, sheds, cabins, attics, barns and crawl spaces. Storage units, stables, kitchen cabinets, and spaces behind appliances if rodents are present.

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Rodents can also nest in unused cars, RVs, campers and boats, which can be sources of exposure when reopened.

The National Park Service says that most human cases of hantavirus occur in the spring and are linked to buildings that become heavily infested with rodents over the winter.

"Most people are exposed when cleaning out sheds and garages where rodents have been living," Yancey confirmed. "You can be exposed by just the dust and droppings left behind by rodents – you don't even need to even see the rodent to be exposed."

The risk of inhalation is also higher when opening buildings that have gone unused for longer periods of time, sweeping dusty floors, or moving and unpacking boxes, experts cautioned.

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Rodent exposure is not limited to buildings. Health officials say people can also encounter hantavirus risk while handling firewood, working in rodent-prone outdoor areas, or disturbing rodent nests and burrows. 

To prevent infection, if cleaning a structure that might have harbored rodents, Yancey recommends wearing a mask and using a diluted bleach solution to wet down any dust or loose debris.

"This will help kill the exposed virus and reduce the amount of infectious dust," Yancey said.

The CDC advises against vacuuming or sweeping rodent urine, droppings or nesting materials, as this can aerosolize the virus and increase the risk of inhalation.

Instead, health officials recommend wearing gloves, soaking rodent droppings with disinfectant, wiping them up with paper towels, properly disposing of waste and thoroughly cleaning surfaces, followed by careful handwashing.

Some signs of rodent activity can include droppings, shredded nesting materials, gnaw marks, strong musky odors and scratching sounds in the walls or ceilings, according to public health guidance.

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Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, emphasized that hantavirus is not something that most Americans encounter in daily life, and is more prominent in certain parts of Europe and Asia.

"It is very rare in the U.S. and is seen out west, but rarely," he told Fox News Digital. "We need to avoid overpersonalizing the risk of a very rare virus."

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Cruise passenger shows life inside Nebraska quarantine after hantavirus exposure scare

One of the passengers aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship posted video showing his quarantine room at the National Quarantine Unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha as officials monitor a hantavirus outbreak tied to the voyage.

Jake Rosmarin, a passenger currently under quarantine, has been documenting his experience on social media, posting videos from both the ship and the medical facility. Fox News Digital has not independently verified the video.

Health officials have said the passengers are being monitored out of caution after potential exposure to Andes virus, a type of hantavirus, and have emphasized that the risk to the public remains low.

In one recent clip, Rosmarin showed his room, which included a wall-mounted hand sanitizer, a thermometer and other health provisions. The room also featured a stationary bike.

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"I can have stuff sent here for the duration of my stay, so I'm definitely going to be getting some things for me to feel more at home and more comfortable," Rosmarin said.

He added that he plans to continue sharing updates in the coming days and said he is currently feeling "well."

Rosmarin also said he has not tested positive for hantavirus.

The footage shows conditions inside the quarantine unit as health officials monitor passengers for potential exposure following the outbreak.

CDC SPELLS OUT NEXT STEPS AFTER AMERICANS EXPOSED TO HANTAVIRUS ON CRUISE SHIP

Health officials have said passengers may be allowed to leave the Nebraska facility before a 42-day monitoring period ends if they meet certain conditions, including remaining symptom-free and being able to safely isolate at home.

Officials will also evaluate whether individuals can maintain contact with local health departments and quickly access testing or medical care if symptoms develop.

Of the 18 individuals transported to the U.S. after the outbreak, 16 are in Nebraska and two are in Atlanta. Most are in quarantine, while one individual was placed in a biocontainment unit after an earlier test result.

Officials have emphasized that the risk to the general public remains low, noting that the Andes variant of hantavirus does not spread easily and typically requires prolonged, close contact with a symptomatic individual.

Fox News Digital's Alex Nitzberg contributed to this report.

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