90-Second Read: Verifying viral odd claims about Hantavirus on social media

Amid rising concerns about Hantavirus, DUBAWA observed that some social media accounts engaged in rage-baiting by posting odd, unrealistic claims about the virus, distracting users from real, valuable information. A claim went viral on social media in the first week of May, 2026, with some social media users claiming the Hantavirus can make the penis shrink by 3 inches. When DUBAWA traced the claim to its source on social media, we found it was first posted by Ragebait Media on May 6, just 4 days after the first report of the Hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship. According to the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Hantaviruses are a family of viruses spread mainly by rodents.

Claim 3: Hantavirus is out to kill black people Some of the claims noted that the Hantavirus was specifically targeted to affect and kill people of the black race. In a CDC data sheet that highlighted the race of persons infected with the Hantavirus disease, only 1% were Black or African American, while about 75% were white. There is no evidence to support these claims about Hantavirus. The Andes virus is a lethal Hantavirus strain that can pass from person to person.

Recognising this as a public health issue and given the potential impact of such claims, DUBAWA analysed some of the claims and provided the facts from authorised bodies. Medical articles note that Hantaviruses can affect an infected person's lungs, causing a buildup of fluid and serious problems with lung and heart function. An infected person shows symptoms of HFRS within 1 to 2 weeks after exposure to Hantavirus. Claim 2: Breastmilk contains compounds that cure Hantavirus The same platform posted an image story claiming that research has found that breastmilk contains compounds with "virus-neutralising properties" that can be used to cure the Hantavirus.

Therefore, the claim that breastmilk 'cures' Hantavirus is misleading. A Facebook post by Anonymous Commander claimed that the Hantavirus was made using the melanin strain and is now targeted at depopulating the population of the Black race around the globe. Medical science has consistently shown that breast milk has antiviral properties that protect babies against infection, which is why exclusive breastfeeding is always encouraged.