- The Hammer and Nigel Show
- May 11, 2026
Recent headlines about hantavirus cases linked to a cruise ship have raised understandable questions. How serious is hantavirus? Can it spread easily from person to person? Should the public be concerned?
Dr. Quay recently joined The Hammer and Nigel Show on WIBC to discuss the issue and provide a clear, evidence-based perspective.
In the interview, Dr. Quay explained that hantavirus is a virus associated with rodents. In the United States, infections are rare, with cases most often occurring when dried rodent droppings are disturbed, such as while cleaning a cabin, shed, or other enclosed area. When swept or stirred up, these materials can become aerosolized and potentially inhaled.
Dr. Quay also clarified an important distinction: the North American form of hantavirus has not been known to spread from person to person, while certain South American strains can rarely transmit between humans, usually through very close household contact. Even then, Dr. Quay emphasized that human-to-human transmission remains difficult and uncommon.
The recent cruise ship story drew attention because it appears to involve an unusual cluster of cases connected to travel. However, Dr. Quay urged listeners to keep the risk in proportion. While hantavirus can be dangerous when infection occurs, the likelihood of the average person contracting it remains extremely low.
As Dr. Quay noted, public health communication works best when people are given clear facts without unnecessary alarm. Understanding the actual risk helps individuals respond appropriately, stay informed, and continue living their lives with confidence.
Listen to Dr. Quay’s full interview with The Hammer and Nigel Show here:
https://wibc.com/886531/how-worried-should-you-be-about-cruise-ship-hantavirus/
Learn More from Dr. Quay
Dr. Quay’s forthcoming book, The Code as Witness, explores the origins of COVID-19 and what must be done to help prevent the next pandemic. Drawing on science, evidence, and hard-earned lessons from the global response to COVID-19, the book offers a timely look at how better public health decisions can protect lives in the future.
Learn more about The Code as Witness here:
https://drquay.com/the-code-as-witness/
