Morning Wire Hantavirus Ship Nears Port & Can Pratt Win Over LA? | 5.8.26
21 snips
May 8, 2026 
Megan Basham, Daily Wire culture reporter who covers trends among young people. Cabot Phillips, reporter who tracked Spencer Pratt’s surprising mayoral debate surge. Dr. William Schaffner, infectious disease professor explaining hantavirus risks. They discuss a cruise ship hantavirus scare, whether Pratt can parlay debate momentum into votes, and new research showing rising religiosity and conservatism among young men.
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Andes Hantavirus Is PersonToPerson But Limited
- Hantavirus on a cruise ship is Andes strain which can transmit person-to-person, raising more concern than typical hantaviruses.
- Dr. William Schaffner explains transmission likely needs prolonged close indoor contact, fitting a cruise environment.
Don't Expect A Global Hantavirus Pandemic
- People should be reassured this hantavirus is not like COVID and is unlikely to cause a global pandemic.
- Schaffner notes the virus is stable, not mutating, and transmission should be limited despite possible further cases.
Passengers Likely Exposed During Argentina Excursions
- The cruise likely picked up the virus after passengers visited Argentina and did outdoor activities like hiking and birding.
- Schaffner says some passengers disembarked earlier and are being contact traced already.