90-Second Read: Houston-based doctor says Hantavirus isn't very transmissible despite Hantavirus cruise outbreak
Editorial voice
Noah Davidson
Published
Published May 13, 2026

Houston-based doctor says the Hantavirus isn't very transmissible after Hantavirus cruise outbreak. HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Top health officials said they're not worried about the outbreak, which has so far killed three people. Health experts said the Hantavirus isn't very transmissible from person to person, but it can occur, like we're currently seeing.
ABC News is reporting the number of likely cases of the Hantavirus is now confirmed at 11 worldwide, including one American. Houston-based Doctor Peter Hotez, one of the prominent epidemiological voices during COVID, said it's believed a couple originally became infected on the southern coast of Argentina after exposure to rodent droppings or urine. Hotez said this outbreak has been ongoing since early April and added that in past outbreaks, the incubation period has been around three weeks.
We don't have a lot of experience with Hantavirus, but it's not impossible that this becomes a bigger epidemic. The Texas Department of State and Health Services told ABC13 it is monitoring the two people from Texas who were exposed. It wouldn't surprise me that this week, we see a couple more.
Source reference
Original reporting
Based on reporting from ABC13 Houston. Read the original source for full details.
Source published May 11, 9:05 PM EDT. Hantavirus Now reviewed reporting from ABC13 Houston and summarized the key points below.
Read original article