Snopes fact-check: pre-Hondius person-to-person ANDV transmission documented in Argentina, contrary to viral claim

Snopes (May 2026) addresses the viral claim that the MV Hondius outbreak marks the first ever human-to-human hantavirus spread. Verdict: needs context — limited human-to-human transmission of Andes virus has been previously documented in South American outbreaks (notably 1996 El Bolson and 2018 Epuyen). Confirms 8 suspected cases and 3 deaths as of writing, with US returnees being monitored in Texas, Georgia, Arizona, Virginia, and California.

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hantavirus