Expert reassurance: Rare viruses like Andes hantavirus pose minimal pandemic risk despite headlines

A CNN health article featuring infectious disease experts contextualizes fears around rare viruses like Ebola and hantavirus in advance of the 2026 World Cup. Experts emphasize that despite alarming headlines, pandemic risk from these pathogens is "essentially nonexistent" for average travelers. The Andes strain—the only hantavirus capable of limited human-to-human transmission, found in Argentina and Chile—requires direct physical contact, prolonged close quarters, and exposure to bodily fluids. A recent cruise ship outbreak infected only a small number despite crowded conditions, supporting that Andes, while contagious, may not be highly contagious. Experts redirect concern toward common respiratory viruses (flu, COVID-19, RSV, measles) and advocate vaccination, hand hygiene, masking during outbreaks, and avoiding crowds during peak transmission periods as practical protective measures.