2026 Hantavirus Outbreak: Burnett School of Medicine at TCU Expert Explains Andes Virus Risks
Infectious Disease Specialist Nikhil Bhayani, M.D., Assistant Professor at Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at Texas Christian University, Explains Hantavirus and Global Concerns
FORT WORTH — Recent international attention about a 2026 hantavirus cluster linked to a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean has sparked questions about widespread public risk.
Nikhil Bhayani, M.D., infectious disease specialist and assistant professor at the Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at Texas Christian University, provides clarity and shares critical facts about the virus in TCU’s “Explained in :60 Seconds” video series.
While news headlines have caused concern, Dr. Bhayani says the current situation is specifically connected to the Andes virus, a South American strain known for high fatality rates and rare person-to-person transmission. Hantavirus strains typically found in the United States do not spread between humans and are instead contracted through contact with the urine, saliva, or droppings of infected rodents.
For a deeper dive into the science of the virus watch the latest video segment here.
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