Cruise ship outbreak highlights need for clear communication on emerging disease threats

MedicalXpress | июл 23, 2026

A small outbreak of a rare hantavirus on a cruise ship earlier this year captured worldwide attention and sparked concerns about a possible new pandemic. But according to a new University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) commentary published in JAMA Internal Medicine, the outbreak posed little risk to the general public and offers important lessons about how health officials, scientists and the media should communicate during emerging disease events.