Goa, May 9 -- The ongoing hantavirus outbreak has sparked global concern, with many questioning whether the virus could spread in a manner similar to Covid-19 and whether lockdowns or mask mandates may return.

Addressing these fears during a press conference on Thursday evening, World Health Organization (WHO) officials clarified that hantavirus behaves very differently from Covid-19 and influenza, and does not currently pose the same level of widespread transmission risk.

Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, Director of Epidemic and Pandemic Management at the WHO, said the current outbreak should not be compared to the coronavirus pandemic.

"This is not Covid, nor influenza, it spreads very differently," she said.

Dr. Kerkhove also noted that the...