STAT+: The hantavirus outbreak is prompting Covid flashbacks — including the conspiracies

STAT PlusHealth The hantavirus outbreak is prompting Covid flashbacks — including the conspiracies Ironically, the public health establishment and the conspiracists seem to agree on the big picture Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Tal Kopan — Boston GlobeMay 17, 2026 WASHINGTON — The deadly outbreak of a rare strain of hantavirus on a cruise has generated echoes of the pandemic era, including a reprise of a familiar drumbeat of questionable theories from social media personalities prominent for their Covid-19 skepticism. At the moment, ironically, the public health establishment and the conspiracists challenging it actually seem to agree on the big picture: Hantavirus is not like the Covid-19 virus, and for now, the risk to the general public remains low.Advertisement But the speed at which a handful of people who became influential amid Covid-19 have begun recycling theories, from baseless suggestions about the origin of the current outbreak to unproven treatments, illustrates a new reality for any emerging public health threat. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account?

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