The Gateway

𝗔𝗻𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲-𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗿𝘂𝘀

The once-controlled outbreak is now starting to reemerge. In recent news, the hantavirus infections are now starting to re-circulate all over the world. While a specific cure was not yet formulated, health agencies urged individuals to be cautious.

On May 6, 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) published an article on the hantavirus, as Andes virus—a type of hantavirus—infections affected passengers and crews on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean.

Hantaviruses are a group of viruses that are zoonotic viruses that naturally infect rodents. They typically present in rodent reservoir species, in these species for a long time without apparent illness, and are occasionally transmitted to humans, but in documented cases, thousands of infections have been recorded. These viruses can cause severe disease in humans and can cause a range of illnesses, which typically involve fever, headache, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain and nausea or vomiting, depending on the type of virus. These viruses belong to the family Hantaviridae, within the order of Bunyarirales. The transmission of hantavirus to humans occurs from contact with urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents, and in less common situations, infection may occur from rodent bites. Moreover, exposure risk may rise in activities involving contact with rodents, like cleaning enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces, farming, forestry work, and sleeping in rodent-infested areas. While human-to-human may be a rare case, when infection occurs, transmission between people has been associated with close and prolonged contact, particularly among household members or intimate partners, and appears more likely during the early phase of illness, where the virus is more transmissible.

As recorded by WHO, there are two known syndromes resulting from hantavirus: hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), a rapidly progressive condition affecting the lungs and heart, which is relevant in the Americas. Haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Europe and Asia primarily affects the kidneys and blood vessels. In these two syndromes, HFRS, in human-to-human transmission, has not been documented, with a case fatality rate of 1-15%, while HCPS is a more severe illness and known to cause human-to-human transmission, with a case fatality rate up to 50%.

East Asia, particularly China and the Republic of Korea, has continuously experienced thousands of HFRS infections annually, although incidence has declined in recent decades. Furthermore, in Europe, mainly in northern and central regions, several thousand cases have been reported each year, where Puumal virus—another type of hantavirus—circulates.

On the other part of the world, the Americas have experienced HCPS but is much rarer, with hundreds of cases reported each year across the continent having fewer than 1,000 cases in the United States of America (USA), while South America such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Paraguay reports small number of cases annually but is more fatal, making the disease a major public health concern. An estimation of 10,000 to 100,000 infections was recorded each year globally, with the largest burden in Europe and Asia.

In terms of their diagnosis, it became quite challenging to classify the infections due to their similarities to illnesses like COVID-19, viral pneumonia, leptospirosis, dengue, or sepsis, having symptoms like fever and vomiting. As stated by the article, laboratory confirmation only relies on serological testing in detecting hantavirus-specific IgM antibodies or rising IgG titres, as well as molecular methods such as reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) during the acute phase of illness, when viral RNA may be detectable in blood.

While there is no licensed specific antiviral treatment or vaccine for hantavirus infection, WHO and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have worked with different allying agencies to strengthen surveillance, laboratory capacity, risk communication and community engagement, early detection, patient care and outbreak response for hantavirus infections by developing and updating evidence-based guidance on diagnosis, case management, infection prevention and control, and contact tracing. The WHO also emphasized that the Andes virus is very low when appropriate infection prevention and control measures are applied.

These preventive steps not only benefit one person, but also benefit every individual living on this planet. While a specific cure is not available, it is important to follow preventive steps and precautions because such action is not just merely following instructions but a societal imperative.

SCITECH | Christopher Kyle S. Saguran
ILLUSTRATION | Jheanne Amigleo

𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗶𝗻𝗷𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘂𝘇

Despite earlier assurances from Iran regarding the safe passage of Philippine-bound vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, seven Filipino seafarers were injured after their ship was reportedly struck by an Iranian drone attack on May 5.

The injured Filipinos were crew members of the Maltese-flagged container ship CMA CGM San Antonio, which was initially reported by some foreign media outlets as a French vessel.

“Four of them have relatively minor injuries, while three are in more serious condition and are being closely monitored,” Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said.

Despite the incident, two injured Filipino seafarers returned to the Philippines on May 15 after receiving medical treatment in Oman and received initial financial assistance from the government.

“The good news is everyone is recuperating,” Cacdac told reporters during a media briefing at the airport, adding that five others are still recovering in Oman.

Furthermore, the DMW assured that all seven injured crew members continue to receive their salaries and family allotments while hospitalized.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most vital shipping routes for oil and global trade amid escalating geopolitical tensions, with commercial vessels remaining vulnerable despite ongoing diplomatic negotiations.

NEWS | Kate Ashley Garcia
LAYOUT | Kenzien Joseph Garay

𝟭𝟮 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝘄𝗹𝗮𝗵, 𝗕𝗜𝗙𝗙 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗬𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗿𝗺𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝗦𝘂𝗿

Twelve former members of the defunct Dawlah Islamiya and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) voluntarily surrendered to Philippine Army units in Maguindanao del Sur within three days, military officials confirmed Saturday, May 9.

Five Dawlah Islamiya members first pledged allegiance to the government during a symbolic surrender ceremony held Monday at the headquarters of the Army’s 1st Mechanized Battalion in Barangay Midtimbang, Datu Anggal Midtimbang.

The surrenderers were identified as Alih Samat, Morad Ali, Guialudin Salipada, Tohami Maguid, and Diya Dagadas.

According to Major Gen. Jose Vladimir Cagara, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, the surrender was made possible through the joint efforts of military officials, local government leaders, and Moro community elders.

Before formally surrendering, the five militants turned over several fi****ms, including a Barrett sniper rifle, an M1 Garand rifle, two submachine guns, and an M79 gr***de launcher.

In a separate ceremony held Thursday at the headquarters of the Army’s 90th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Kabengi, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, seven more former members of Dawlah Islamiya and BIFF also surrendered to authorities.

Military officials said four of the seven were skilled in assembling improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The group also yielded high-powered fi****ms, mortars, bomb-making materials, and explosive components.

The former extremists vowed to support government peace initiatives and help convince their remaining companions to surrender and return to peaceful communities.

Authorities assured the surrenderers of assistance and reintegration programs through the cooperation of the Bangsamoro regional government and local government units in the province.

NEWS | Mikaela Bonilla
LAYOUT | Kenzien Joseph Garay