Gilbert Zermeño shares hantavirus survival story amid outbreak concern

8 articles · Updated · Mint · May 9

The Arizona photojournalist told CBS the outbreak linked to a Dutch-flagged cruise ship, with nine confirmed or suspected cases and three deaths, revived trauma from losing his mother and sister in Texas.
Zermeño said he was infected in 2002 after cleaning rodent droppings from the family home and warned people to seek medical advice while rejecting panic over misinformation.
Officials say public risk remains very low because hantavirus usually spreads through infected rodents, though the Andes strain detected in two passengers can rarely pass between people.

A virus deadlier than COVID-19 has emerged. Why are officials certain it won't become the next pandemic?

This outbreak is linked to climate change. What other deadly viruses could be unleashed as the planet warms?