Fresh Hantavirus spread raises COVID-19 fears

…Experts sue for calm, warn that risk is still low

The recent outbreak of hantavirus on a cruise ship sailing from Argentina to Cape Verde has raised concerns among many Nigerians, where the trauma of the COVID-19 pandemic remains a fresh memory.

While the high fatality rate of hantavirus is cause for vigilance, health experts emphasise that this is not a COVID-19 rerun. To provide clarity on the situation, experts have urged citizens to remain alert while also staying calm, as the risk to the general public is low.

“We appreciate that countries are on alert and that awareness is being created, but we urge everyone to stay calm, as the disease risk to the general public is low,” noted Tedros Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Unlike COVID, where the disease is airborne and transmitted through respiratory droplets from infected persons when they sneeze or cough in proximity, or through poorly ventilated areas and contaminated surfaces, hantavirus is mostly spread through contact with rodent urine or droppings, or through the inhalation of dried materials contaminated with rodent excreta when stirred up during activities such as sweeping, vacuuming, or cleaning. In rare cases, it can also spread through prolonged close contact with infected persons, particularly when providing care.

The Andes virus is the only species of hantavirus that has been confirmed to allow human-to-human transmission.

During a recent WHO press conference on May 7, 2026, Maria Van Kerkhove, head of Emerging Diseases and Zoonoses at WHO, noted that the outbreak is not the start of another pandemic, adding that, “This is not COVID, this is not influenza, it spreads very, very differently.”

“Unlike diseases such as measles, which are highly contagious and spread easily, the Andes strain of hantavirus behind the outbreak is not that infectious,” she noted.

Human-to-human spread is possible, but the risk of global infection remains low, according to Ghebreyesus.

How prepared is Nigeria?

According to the Nigerian Health Watch, the hantavirus outbreak is another reminder that epidemic preparedness cannot be a future conversation. As nations exercise caution over this outbreak, it should serve as a wake-up call for Nigeria to strengthen its healthcare defence systems.

Chikwe Ihekweazu, Assistant Director-General at WHO, highlighted the need for countries across the globe, including Nigeria, to develop internal capacity to handle outbreaks of infectious diseases such as hantavirus.

“Irrespective of what is done at WHO, the bulk still lies with national governments and countries to build internal systems that enable them to contain disease outbreaks efficiently,” he noted.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention issued an alert in a press statement, noting that it is monitoring disease outbreaks, particularly in South Africa, and offering support where necessary.

“The Africa CDC is closely monitoring the situation and remains in contact with affected countries to provide support as needed,” the agency said.

Experts urge that Nigeria must improve surveillance, increase awareness, and strengthen laboratory capacity to remain prepared for future pandemics.

What must Nigeria do?

Experts have highlighted the need for improved surveillance, stronger regulatory enforcement, better information sharing, and stricter controls at entry points such as airports. Monitoring the disease closely will also be essential to ensure that it does not spread into the country, as seen in previous outbreaks.
(BusinessDay)