World Health Network

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Scientists and clinicians studying the current Andes hantavirus outbreak warn that several factors may increase transmission risk, including unclear timing of infectiousness, possible spread before symptoms appear, unreliable early PCR testing, and incubation periods that may extend beyond 45 days. In this new editorial, the WHN Science Communications team reviews what is currently known about the outbreak, lessons from prior Argentine outbreaks, the role of quarantine and respiratory protection, and why international coordination and clear public communication matter as the situation evolves. Read the full article: whn.global/scientific/han… #Hantavirus #AndesHantavirus #PublicHealth #HealthEducation #GlobalHealth #InfectionPrevention

As the Andes hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship expands across multiple countries, researchers are warning that airborne transmission must be taken seriously. Current guidance in some settings still recommends medical masks, despite respirators such as N95, FFP2, and FFP3 masks being specifically designed to protect against airborne infectious particles. Medical masks are not designed to provide the same level of airborne protection. With documented person-to-person transmission, uncertain infectious timing, and long incubation periods, the World Health Network is calling for stronger airborne precautions, including universal respirator use and clearer public communication around airborne risk. Read the full piece here: whn.global/scientific/han… #AndesHantavirus #Hantavirus #PublicHealth #Respirators #CleanAir #AirborneProtection

Argentine Context for the MV Hondius Outbreak Andes hantavirus cases are increasing in Argentina, with reported spread expanding beyond historically isolated rural regions into more populated areas including Buenos Aires Province. Researchers are warning that increasing transmission in denser and more globally connected regions could raise the risk of larger outbreaks and wider international spread. Andes virus is also the only hantavirus strain with documented person-to-person transmission. The article also examines: • Rising case numbers and mortality trends • The historical Epuyén superspreader outbreak • The MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak • Why experts are concerned about spread through modern travel networks Read the full article here: whn.global/newsletter/the… #Hantavirus #AndesHantavirus #PublicHealth #MVHondius #GlobalHealth #InfectionPrevention

This animation traces the 45-day voyage of the expedition cruise ship M/V Hondius from Ushuaia, Argentina to the English Channel (1 Apr – 15 May 2026), during which an outbreak of Andes hantavirus was identified on board. Watch the outbreak timeline and tracking animation here: whn.global/m-v-hondius-at… Because the outbreak investigation is ongoing and publicly available information remains incomplete and rapidly evolving, some details may later change as additional reporting and updates emerge. Corrections or additional sourced information may be sent to info@whn.global. #Hantavirus #AndesHantavirus #PublicHealth

The Andes hantavirus outbreak is raising urgent public health questions. In this WHN Town Hall clip, experts discuss airborne transmission risks, why respirators matter, and where current guidance may be falling short as the international situation evolves. Watch the full discussion: youtu.be/MjUTieBRDO4 #Hantavirus #AndesVirus #AndesHantavirus #PublicHealth #InfectionPrevention

Join us tomorrow for a special WHN Town Hall featuring Eric Feigl-Ding and Barry Hunt as they discuss current public health developments, ongoing global risks, and the importance of prevention in 2026. 📅 Tuesday, May 12 ⏰ 12–1 PM EDT Register for the Zoom Town Hall here: necsi-edu.zoom.us/meeting/regist… #Hantavirus #PublicHealth #InfectionPrevention #GlobalHealth

Andes hantavirus has documented human-to-human transmission, yet current WHO guidance still does not recommend airborne precautions or respirator use (such as N95s). WHN has issued an open letter urging stronger protections for healthcare workers, passengers, and the public, including clearer guidance on airborne risk, respirator use, and prevention measures. Read the full open letter: whn.global/open-letter-to… #Hantavirus #AndesHantavirus #PublicHealth #InfectionPrevention

The Andes virus outbreak associated with the MV Hondius should be treated with urgency now, before transmission chains become established internationally. 1/

It’s a question more and more people are asking. Constant colds. Lingering coughs. Getting sick again just weeks later. Feeling like your body never fully resets. This isn’t just “seasonal illness” anymore. Multiple airborne viruses continue to circulate year-round, while many indoor spaces still lack clean, well-ventilated air. Repeated infections can take a toll on the immune system and increase the risk of long-term health impacts, including Long COVID. The good news: cleaner indoor air, better ventilation, filtration, testing, and masking in crowded spaces can meaningfully reduce risk. Awareness matters. Prevention still matters. #InfectionPrevention #PublicHealth #LongCOVID #COVID #COVID19 #AirborneVirus

Dizziness, vertigo, balance problems, feeling unsteady for no clear reason. These are real and increasingly documented symptoms many people experience after COVID-19 infection. Research shows COVID-19 can affect the inner ear and vestibular system, potentially leading to long-lasting symptoms that continue months or even years later for some patients. Read the full article to learn more about the connection between COVID-19 and vestibular dysfunction: whn.global/why-long-covid… #COVID #COVID19 #LongCOVID #PublicHealth #COVIDIsNotOver #LongCOVIDAwareness

WHN’s Kids’ Zone Magazine is a free, downloadable issue packed with kid-friendly stories, art, science, and COVID-conscious lifestyle ideas made for families who are still choosing care. Download the latest issue for free + explore past editions anytime: whn.global/kidszone/ #PublicHealth #COVID #COVID19 #COVIDConscious

Children should not have to choose between being well and receiving a good education. When students are sick — whether from acute illness, Long COVID, or other chronic conditions — rigid attendance policies can undermine both their health and their ability to learn. Flexible approaches like remote participation, hybrid learning, and asynchronous work help students stay engaged without worsening illness or increasing the risk of spreading disease. When thoughtfully implemented, these tools support continuity, inclusion, and better outcomes for students and their communities. Read the full article: whn.global/when-children-… #LongCOVID #COVID19 #COVID #PublicHealth #HealthEducation #Education #EducationSystem

COVID hasn’t gone away. It’s still causing infections, long-term health damage, and death in 2026 — but protection works, and it’s not too late to start. Read the full update: whn.global/scientific/cov… #COVID19 #COVID #LongCOVID #COVIDIsNotOver #COVIDPandemic #PublicHealth #InfectionPrevention #CleanAir #Masking #MaskUP

Living with Long COVID means your body stops playing by the rules you’ve known your whole life. Weakness, instability, and sudden loss of strength aren’t “just fatigue” or something you can push through, they’re the result of real, measurable damage happening at a physiological level. For many patients, even basic tasks can trigger muscle failure, trembling, or collapse — and pushing through often makes things worse, not better. Read the full article by Becky Ancira Robertson on our website: whn.global/why-long-covid… #LongCOVID #LongCOVIDAwareness #COVID #COVID19 #PublicHealth

"A huge problem" "The economy is suffering from the consequences of post-infectious diseases such as Long Covid and ME/CFS. New figures show how much costs have risen. Many affected people will never be able to work again." manager-magazin.de/lifestyle/leut…

"We want medications for our lungs, our hearts, our stomachs, our immune systems, our brains — damaged by the Covid virus." "Real care, not cognitive behavioral therapy. Not meditation." France, this week. At a psychologists' conference, Long Covid patients refused to be ignored. Grabbed. Pushed. Still speaking. The full statement ⬇️ Translation: @GreeneWendy

Long COVID doesn’t come out of nowhere. It starts with COVID infection. The most reliable way to reduce your risk is to prevent getting COVID in the first place. Clean air, well-fitted respirator masks, testing regularly and staying home when sick all help lower exposure and protect your health long term. #InfectionPrevention #LongCOVID #COVID19 #COVID #COVIDIsNotOver #PublicHealth

“Masks don’t work.” We still hear this a lot, and it usually comes down to misunderstanding how masks actually work. Masks aren’t just tiny strainers. High-quality masks (like N95s) use electrostatic charge to attract and trap airborne particles, including those that carry viruses. Fit matters, too. A loose mask leaves gaps. A well-fitted respirator is designed to seal and protect both what you breathe in and what you breathe out. And here’s the part people miss: dose matters. The more virus you inhale, the higher your risk. Masks reduce that exposure, and when both people mask, protection compounds. So no, it’s not that “masks don’t work.” It’s that not all masks, or how they’re used, work the same. For more information, visit our “Yes, We Continue Wearing Masks” page: whn.global/yes-we-continu… #CleanAir #Masking #PublicHealth #InfectionPrevention #COVIDisAirborne

COVID-19 is still spreading. Respirator masks are still one of the simplest ways to reduce risk, for you and the people around you. #COVID19 #COVIDIsNotOver #COVID #LongCOVID #InfectionPrevention #PublicHealth #LongCOVIDAwareness

South Carolina is facing a rapidly escalating measles outbreak. By the end of January, the outbreak reached almost 847 infected, making it larger than the Texas outbreak last year, and the largest single continuous outbreak since the elimination of measles in 2000. Measles is transmitted through the air and can remain airborne for hours, making indoor spaces high risk. Two doses of the measles vaccine are 97% effective in preventing disease, and symptoms are typically milder even if an infection does occur. South Carolina’s public health department has reported that the vast majority of cases in the current outbreak are in unvaccinated people (883 cases, compared to 19 people who were partially vaccinated and 26 people who were fully vaccinated. Read more: whn.global/newsletter/sou… #Measles #MeaslesOutbreak #PublicHealth #InfectionPrevention #Vaccines #Vaccination