Fact check: Viral video of Hantavirus patient treatment is from COVID-19 pandemic

A video circulating online, falsely claiming to show the treatment of a Hantavirus patient, has been debunked as originating from footage of COVID-19 care in Italy during 2020. The video, which shows healthcare workers in full protective gear attending to a patient, has been shared on social media platforms with misleading captions.

Fact-checking efforts using reverse image searches revealed that the footage was first broadcast by Italian public broadcaster Rai on their program "Vita in Diretta" in November 2020. The clip actually shows the placement of a respirator on a patient in the sub-intensive care unit of the Amedeo di Savoia Hospital in Turin, Italy, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The misrepresentation gained traction in May 2026 following the detection of a Hantavirus cluster on the cruise ship MV Hondius. This outbreak sparked concern due to its resemblance to early COVID-19 transmission patterns on cruise ships.

Experts clarify that Hantavirus is a zoonotic virus first identified in South Korea in 1978. It is transmitted to humans through dust contaminated with the excreta of infected rodents, or via direct contact with rat droppings or contaminated food. Inhalation of airborne virus particles is a primary mode of transmission.

Prevention strategies for Hantavirus focus on maintaining hygiene, both personal and environmental. Health officials advise caution when cleaning areas with rodent presence, recommending wetting down droppings and nests with disinfectant before cleaning to prevent the virus from becoming airborne.

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Do not immediately sweep or vacuum rat nests and droppings until they are dry, as virus particles can become airborne and inhaled. Wet the area first with a disinfectant solution.