While Hantavirus strains common in North and Central America are not particularly easily passed from human to human (one must aspirate / ingest the aerosolized rodent feces powder directly, in some fairly concentrated doses)… the unique strain that has afflicted the Hondius liner is apparently of an original source known to circulate in Argentina, where one infected human may transmit the virus — simply by coughing on or near another human.

That is, intimate contact is not needed.

This news is why the CDC and the WHO and the EU Commissioners are paying very close attention to rigorous isolation protocols. Moreover, the Hantavirus also often presents with a rather longish incubation period — up to four weeks, after exposure. Here’s the latest, in any event:

…A Dutch hospital has quarantined 12 staff members as a preventive measure after blood and urine from a hantavirus patient were handled without observing strict ​protocols, as medics around the world work to stop the spread of the outbreak.

The 12 will be quarantined for six weeks, the Radboudumc hospital in the city of ‌Nijmegen said, adding that the infection risk was very low and patient care continued uninterrupted….

The great work (now ongoing, since 2023) on an mRNA vaccine candidate — at Moderna (just as in COVID-19, and Mpox) cannot come quickly enough. Onward, resolutely. And… as I’ve said a thousand times — RFK, Jr. ought to wake the hell up.

नमस्ते