Fact Check: Viral Video of Hantavirus Patient Treatment Is Actually from Covid-19
A viral video falsely claimed to show Hantavirus patient treatment in May 2026 was actually filmed during Italy’s COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, according to Tempo’s fact-check. The footage, originally from Italian broadcaster Rai, depicted a COVID-19 patient receiving a respirator at Amedeo di Savoia Hospital in Turin, while recent Hantavirus cases emerged on the cruise ship MV Hondius in May 2026." "article": "A video circulating on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads since mid-May 2026 falsely claimed to depict a Hantavirus patient’s treatment. The footage, showing healthcare workers in protective gear, was verified by Tempo using reverse image search and matched to a 2020 broadcast by Italian public broadcaster Rai. The original clip, posted on November 17, 2020, featured a 68-year-old COVID-19 patient named Luciano receiving a respirator at Turin’s Amedeo di Savoia Hospital during Italy’s pandemic peak. The misinformation gained traction after a Hantavirus outbreak was reported in early May 2026 on the cruise ship MV Hondius, which departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1. The ship disembarked 30 passengers in St. Helena, U.S., before reaching the Canary Islands on May 10. Experts confirmed Hantavirus originates from rats, transmitted via contaminated dust, urine, or feces, with cases first documented in South Korea in 1978. Upik Kesumawati from IPB University warned against sweeping rat droppings dry, as airborne particles can spread the virus. Wet disinfection with a solution is recommended before cleaning. Riris Andono Ahmad of UGM noted secondary human-to-human transmission is possible, particularly with the Andean strain, which causes fatal Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). While the video’s context was debunked, the Hantavirus outbreak remains a health concern. The virus spreads through inhalation of contaminated materials, emphasizing the need for hygiene measures. Public health officials continue monitoring the cruise ship cluster, which mirrors earlier COVID-19 transmission patterns on maritime vessels.
A video circulating on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads since mid-May 2026 falsely claimed to depict a Hantavirus patient’s treatment. The footage, showing healthcare workers in protective gear, was verified by Tempo using reverse image search and matched to a 2020 broadcast by Italian public broadcaster Rai. The original clip, posted on November 17, 2020, featured a 68-year-old COVID-19 patient named Luciano receiving a respirator at Turin’s Amedeo di Savoia Hospital during Italy’s pandemic peak. The misinformation gained traction after a Hantavirus outbreak was reported in early May 2026 on the cruise ship MV Hondius, which departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1. The ship disembarked 30 passengers in St. Helena, U.S., before reaching the Canary Islands on May 10. Experts confirmed Hantavirus originates from rats, transmitted via contaminated dust, urine, or feces, with cases first documented in South Korea in 1978. Upik Kesumawati from IPB University warned against sweeping rat droppings dry, as airborne particles can spread the virus. Wet disinfection with a solution is recommended before cleaning. Riris Andono Ahmad of UGM noted secondary human-to-human transmission is possible, particularly with the Andean strain, which causes fatal Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). While the video’s context was debunked, the Hantavirus outbreak remains a health concern. The virus spreads through inhalation of contaminated materials, emphasizing the need for hygiene measures. Public health officials continue monitoring the cruise ship cluster, which mirrors earlier COVID-19 transmission patterns on maritime vessels.
This content was automatically generated and/or translated by AI. It may contain inaccuracies. Please refer to the original sources for verification.