Dr. Nikhil Bhayani, infectious disease specialist and assistant professor at TCU’s Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine, recently spoke with USA Today on the hantavirus outbreak as it continues to draw international attention.

The article explores public concern about the virus following confirmed cases tied to a cruise ship, with the World Health Organization assessing the broader public health risk as low.

“Americans should be aware of this strain of virus which is found in South America,” Bhayani told USA Today, referring to the Andes strain identified in the latest outbreak.

Bhayani also helped readers understand that the strain previously seen in the U.S. does not transmit between humans, marking a distinction with the Andes strain at the center of current concerns.

Read the full story in USA Today.

Story update (5/13/26)

Bhayani also recently spoke with Newsweek regarding the hantavirus, reiterating his message that the public risk for mass spreading remains low. 

“Hantavirus is very unlikely to cause a pandemic, and the WHO's assessment aligns with the scientific consensus,” Bhayani said.

Read the full story in Newsweek.