Hantavirus fears spark COVID flashbacks, but experts say there’s one major difference

Concerns about rising hantavirus cases has Americans reflecting on the coronavirus pandemic.

Although COVID-19 began with a foreign strain and spread rapidly around the world, experts say it’s not likely that hantavirus will behave the same way.

The rare Andes virus, which was linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak, is the only known hantavirus strain that has the capability to spread from person to person, usually through prolonged close contact.

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Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel spoke with Fox News Digital about the similarities and differences between hantavirus and coronavirus, noting that there is "no comparison."

"You could say the comparison ends at that they're both single-stranded RNA viruses," he said. "That's a comparison, but [hantavirus] has been unchanged basically for decades."

Coronavirus was different because it began to mutate, which started to cause "all kinds of problems," Siegel noted.

"We don't know why it started to mutate, but this one doesn't appear to have done that," he said. "And every day that goes by seems to show that theory is correct – the genetics of it is the same."

DR MARC SIEGEL: HANTAVIRUS CRUISE OUTBREAK IS ALARMING BUT FEAR IS SPREADING FASTER THAN FACTS

"So, there's no comparison between these two viruses, other than that the single-stranded RNA viruses are both carried by animals."

Siegel added that COVID is an airborne virus, while hantavirus is mainly a secretion-borne virus, although it can be transmitted through dust and droppings in the air.

"It's not airborne ... in terms of respiratory droplets hanging in the air," he said. "It's very difficult to transmit."

While coronavirus "moved in the direction of humans in a significant way," hantavirus has not, except for "very rare" human-to-human transmission, according to the doctor.

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There have been hantavirus cases in the U.S. for decades, although they are "very rare," Siegel noted.

Certain factors of this disease spread are changing, including warming temperatures that are causing rodents to migrate north toward Buenos Aires, according to the doctor.

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The current outbreak stemming from the cruise ship did not help the cause, Siegel went on — but this spread doesn’t suggest that the virus has changed. Rather, it shows how close quarters on a ship are "very conducive" to spread, he said.

"Every day that goes by shows that ... we're not seeing a second generation of spread," he reiterated.

The better comparison to make is between hantavirus and bird flu, which is a predominantly animal-based virus that "occasionally infects humans," Siegel said.

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"There are billions of birds, and every year we talk about how it's going to cause a pandemic, but it would have to mutate significantly," he pointed out. "I feel that [hantavirus] would have to mutate significantly before it could go human to human in any significant way, because this is basically an animal virus … it's very comfortable inside a rodent host."

Siegel went on, "If you get this virus, you're in trouble, but getting this virus is very difficult."

Regarding fears that another global pandemic may be looming, Siegel said that just because one virus becomes widespread does not mean all viruses will.

"Coronaviruses are airborne anyway. This is not. And coronaviruses mutate a lot, and this does not," he said. "I'm much more concerned about flu than this. Flu can mutate all the time, and it's already going human to human all over the place, and it’s airborne."

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"Most infectious disease specialists are much more worried about flu than this, as deadly as this can be," he added.

"We're talking apples and oranges, and any comparison you make after that provokes fear."

Fox News Digital’s Melissa Rudy contributed to this report.

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Five plead guilty to charges in brutal Cincinnati beatdown that went viral last summer

Five people have pleaded guilty in connection with the brutal beatdown in downtown Cincinnati that went viral last year. 

On Monday, four of the five individuals pleaded guilty to felony charges stemming from the fight, with a fifth person pleading guilty to misdemeanor charges, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. 

The charges stem from a violent fight that broke out on the corner of Fourth and Elm streets in downtown Cincinnati around 3 a.m. on July 26, 2025. 

Defense attorneys for those charged have insisted the fight was sparked after one of the victims allegedly directed a racial slur at a member of the group.

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Video footage of the altercation subsequently went viral, with clips showing the moment a woman was thrown to the ground and knocked unconscious garnering millions of views throughout social media. 

A man was also seen being knocked to the ground and struck more than two dozen times in the head. 

Those who pleaded guilty to felony charges include Jermaine Mathews, 39; Montianez Merriweather, 35; Gregory Wright, 33; and Aisha Devaughn, 26, the Enquirer reported.

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Mathews reportedly faces the longest prison term of up to 4.5 years behind bars after he pleaded guilty to aggravated rioting and attempted felonious assault. His defense attorney has previously said the racial slurs were directed at Mathews. 

Surveillance footage shows Mathews approaching a man and punching him in the head. Minutes later, after the man appears to slap Mathews in the face, he is seen throwing the victim to the ground before punching and kicking him.  

Merriweather and Devaughn pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and aggravated rioting, according to the outlet. They each face up to three years in prison.

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Wright, who was accused of ripping a chain from a victim’s neck after Mathews flung the man to the ground, reportedly pleaded guilty to felony theft and misdemeanor rioting, with the most serious charge carrying a maximum sentence of 18 months in prison. 

Dekyra Vernon, 25, also reportedly pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault and disorderly conduct charges stemming from the fight. 

Charges against two other defendants in the case — Patrick Rosemond, 39, and Dominique Kittle, 38 — remain pending, according to the Enquirer.

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In March, an Ohio judge reportedly dismissed a disorderly conduct charge against a White man who authorities previously said was one of the victims. 

The beatdown ignited allegations that the incident was racially motivated, with political leaders including Vice President JD Vance and Vivek Ramaswamy previously speaking out against the video after it went viral.

Those who pleaded guilty are set to be sentenced on May 19 and June 11. 

Fox News Digital reached out to the attorneys for the defendants and the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office for comment. 

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Refs' chief Webb confirms grappling consultation

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Andes virus linked to cruise ship deaths raises concern over human-to-human spread

As health officials track the hantavirus outbreak that began on the MV Hondius cruise ship, attention is turning to the Andes virus, a rare strain from South America that is causing concern.

The virus stemming from the cruise ship, which has caused around eight cases and three deaths as of May 11, was identified by the World Health Organization as the Andes strain.

Unlike most forms of hantavirus, which spread from rodents to humans, Andes is the only strain that is able to transmit from person to person, heightening fears about how outbreaks could unfold under the right conditions.

DR MARC SIEGEL: HANTAVIRUS CRUISE OUTBREAK IS ALARMING BUT FEAR IS SPREADING FASTER THAN FACTS

"The Andes strain has been increasing recently as rodents migrate north toward Buenos Aires in hot, wet climate conditions," Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, told Fox News Digital. "It is predominately a rodent virus – current sequencing shows no mutations so far."

The virus is endemic primarily in Argentina, Chile and parts of southern South America, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is primarily carried by a wild rodent species known as the long-tailed pygmy rice rat.

The Andes strain tends to cause more serious complications, including hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), according to Siegel.

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HPS is a rare but severe respiratory disease that mainly affects the lungs, causing fluid buildup that makes it hard to breathe. It can quickly become life-threatening, with 38% of people who develop respiratory symptoms dying from the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Early symptoms of HPS can include fatigue, fever and muscle aches, with about half of all patients also experiencing headaches, dizziness, chills and abdominal problems, like nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, per the CDC.

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Symptoms typically appear between four and 42 days after exposure. In most cases, only people with symptoms are able to spread the virus to others.

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While the Andes virus does have the capability to spread person to person, Siegel noted that studies show it is still rare.

"There is currently no treatment or vaccine," the doctor noted. "The U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases is working on monoclonal antibodies, and an MRNA vaccine is in the works."

Patients with the virus typically receive supportive care, including rest, hydration and medications to manage symptoms.

Health experts have shared that the Andes virus appears to spread much less efficiently than more contagious viruses like measles, influenza and COVID.

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The CDC has stated that overall risk to the American public and travelers remains "extremely low."

"Andes virus testing is limited to people who have relevant symptoms and exposure history," the agency wrote. "If you think you had contact with a person with Andes virus and are experiencing symptoms, contact a medical professional or your state or local health department immediately."

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Labour MPs Move Against Starmer

The number of Labour MPs calling for the prime minister to go increases.

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CBS host gives Dem rep brutal reality check on DHS shutdown: 'You lost that fight'

CBS "Face the Nation" host Margaret Brennan challenged Democratic Rep. Ted Lieu on the party's midterm election messaging, saying Democrats "lost" the fight over the record-setting Department of Homeland Security shutdown.

"OK, so you still believe that Democrats can retake the House?" Brennan asked Lieu, who represents California's 36th Congressional District. "What is your main message?"

"The American people voted in Donald Trump because they wanted lower costs and he lied to them," Lieu replied. "We have surging inflation, skyrocketing gas prices. The Trump tariffs have raised costs across many products across America. People are drowning in debt and in bills, and Democrats are going to reduce health care costs, lower costs across the board, reduce your energy costs. That's the message we're—"

"How are you going to do that?" Brennan interjected. "Democrats shut down the government to have an argument over health care, and they didn't get any policy concessions, and premiums went up. You lost that fight."

DEMOCRATS STRUGGLE FOR COHESIVE MESSAGING STRATEGY AMID SHUTDOWN STANDOFF

Lieu responded that the House passed an extension of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits for three years and urged the Senate to also pass that legislation.

Lieu added that "when we get control, we're going to reverse the massive Medicaid cuts, the Medicare cuts and the cuts to ACA that Trump and Republicans put in last year."

TRUMP ENDS DHS' MONTHS-LONG NIGHTMARE THAT LEFT IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT WITHOUT FUNDING

The DHS shutdown began Feb. 14. On April 30, President Donald Trump signed a bill funding much of the agency, ending a record-setting 75-day funding lapse.

Notably, however, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will remain unfunded under the current legislation.

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Man charged as three Jewish people assaulted

Two men, aged 58 and 26, and a 53-year-old woman were left with minor injuries from the attack.

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Bobby Cox, legendary Atlanta Braves manager who led 1995 World Series champions, dead at 84

Famed Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox has died at the age of 84, the team announced on Saturday.

The Braves said in a statement that their "treasured skipper" was the "best manager to ever wear a Braves uniform."

His Braves managerial legacy will never be matched. Bobby was a favorite among all in the baseball community, especially those who played for him. His wealth of knowledge on player development and the intricacies of managing the game were rewarded with the sport’s ultimate prize in 2014 – enshrinement into the Baseball Hall of Fame," the Braves said.

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"And while Bobby’s passion for the game was unparalleled, his love of baseball was exceeded only by his love for his family. It is with the heaviest of hearts that we send our sincerest condolences to his beloved wife, Pam, and their loving children and grandchildren."

Cox's 2,504 wins as a manager are the fourth-most in MLB history, behind only Connie Mack, Tony La Russa and John McGraw.

Cox has two stints with the Braves, the first of which began in 1978 and ended three years later. After managing the Toronto Blue Jays from 1982 to 1985, he returned to Atlanta for the 1990 season, where he stayed for 21 seasons.

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He was named the Manager of the Year four times and was one of two managers, along with Kevin Cash, to win it in back-to-back seasons. His No. 6 was retired by the Braves in 2011, shortly after his final season with the club.

Cox was the first-base coach for the New York Yankees when they won the World Series in 1977, but he was of course much better known for the world title that was brought to Atlanta in 1995.

During his second stint with Atlanta, he led the team to 14 division titles and making each postseason from 1991 to 2005 (there was no postseason in the strike-shortened 1994 season, but the Braves were 68-46 and in second place behind the Montreal Expos).

The Braves made five World Series under Cox, who also held the MLB record for most ejections.

He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

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Four-try Packer 'doesn't go away' as England set up Grand Slam decider

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Arteta rallies Arsenal for huge Premier League weekend

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Swing-district Republican breaks with Trump, pushes limits on Iran war

A House Republican facing a tough re-election fight is moving to impose strict limits on the Iran war, breaking with the Trump administration’s claim that hostilities have ended. 

Rep. Tom Barrett, R-Mich., introduced a resolution Thursday that would authorize the war through the end of July to permanently degrade Iran’s nuclear program, address "imminent threats," enforce a naval blockade and ensure safe passage of U.S. ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

But the measure would also set stringent guidelines on prolonged military operations by limiting boots on the ground and prohibiting "nation-building" or occupying or seizing Iranian territory.

"Two things have been clear from the very beginning: Iran cannot be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the United States of America cannot be dragged into another endless war," Barrett, an Army veteran who served multiple tours in the Middle East, said. "The commander in chief has the sole authority to lead our troops in wartime, but I’ve lost too many friends on the battlefield to allow that to happen without Congress exercising its constitutional role to clearly define the mission with safeguards and a deadline."

REPUBLICANS HAND TRUMP THE WHEEL ON IRAN — BUT ONE RED LINE EMERGES

"If we don’t learn from our foreign policy failures of the past, we are bound to repeat them," he added.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, has also vowed to introduce a similar measure in the upper chamber authorizing the use of military force within strict boundaries, which she has described as a "restraint" on Trump.

Barrett’s measure follows the White House largely shrugging off a 60-day deadline to end the war on Friday by arguing that the ceasefire that began on April 7 effectively stopped the clock on the 1973 War Powers Resolution’s countdown. Under the war powers provision, the administration is required to end hostilities within 60 to 90 days absent congressional approval. 

"For War Powers Resolution purposes, the hostilities that began on Saturday, February 28 have terminated," a senior administration official told Fox News Digital last week.

"Both parties agreed to a two-week ceasefire on Tuesday, April 7 that has since been extended," the official continued. "There has been no exchange of fire between U.S. Armed Forces and Iran since Tuesday, April 7."

A press release issued by Barrett’s office stated that "U.S. military operations are ongoing."

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio argued Tuesday that the 1973 War Powers Resolution is unconstitutional, and the administration was only complying with parts of it out of respect for Congress.

"We comply with it in terms of, like, notification because we want to preserve good relations with Congress," Rubio told reporters during a news conference. "And we do that."

Trump has repeatedly extended the ceasefire with Iran as both parties are working with mediators to permanently end the war.

Barrett’s resolution would also allow for an additional 30-day "wind-down period" if the Trump administration intended to extend hostilities past the July 30 deadline.

The resolution comes as Barrett, a freshman lawmaker representing a Lansing-area district, is facing a potentially bruising re-election bid ahead of November’s midterm elections.

Bridget Brink, the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine under former President Joe Biden, and retired Navy SEAL Matt Maasdam are vying in a crowded Democratic primary to unseat Barrett in the swing seat.

The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates his re-election bid as a "toss-up."

It is unclear whether Barrett will join Democrats in supporting a war powers resolution that would block military action against Iran absent congressional approval when lawmakers return to Washington next week.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Neymar apologises for slapping teenager Robinho Jr

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