President Donald Trump gave an update on hantavirus in the United States from The White House as Fox News issued a breaking news alert. The broadcaster gave viewers at home an update as the banner popped up to confirm the US President was sharing his insight into the virus and the impact it was having in America. Trump had been giving a briefing on various healthcare concerns, including maternal health, when the update was shared.
Fox News has since shared a clip to X and wrote: “President Trump addresses growing concerns about the hantavirus in the United States.” Trump was then heard stating: “The one thing with this one is that it’s much harder to catch… it’s been around for a long time, people are very familiar with it.” He added: “I hope it’s fine. All I can do is everything that a President can do, which is actually somewhat limited.”
He continued: “I hope it’s fine. It seems like it is not easy to spread. In fact, in certain ways it’s very hard to spread. We’ve lived with it for many years, we think we’re in very good shape.”
However, his statement prompted an influx of frustration from listeners as one user wrote on X: “With respect, Mr. President, ‘I hope it’s fine’ is not an epidemiological assessment. Hantavirus has a 38% mortality rate. I would strongly recommend consulting an actual virologist before assuring the public we are in ‘very good shape.’ That is all.”
Another said: “We think we’re in very good shape” is crazy when hantavirus kills 38% of people who catch it. This is the same energy as 2020. Bro is a vibes-based president. No CDC director, no plan, just hope and good shape.” A third responded: “Even if it’s not easy to spread, it’s still something worth taking seriously given how severe it can be in rare cases.”
Trump’s update on hantavirus comes as the UK is taking outbreaks more seriously, with recent reports stating that twenty brits have started a 45-day self-isolation period in the UK after being evacuated from a crusie ship hit by hantavirus. They are currently isolating at Arrow Park Hospital in Merseyside and will stay there for 72 hours before self-isolating for 42 days at home.
The UKHSA said in a statement at the time: “The UK Government has worked with international partners to ensure the safe return of all remaining British nationals on board the MV Hondius, with passengers now safely transferred to Arrowe Park Hospital.” Discussions of the virus have emerged onto morning telly, with BBC Breakfast featuring a segment where Professor Robin May told the hosts that things relating to the isolation period “may change” depending on what the science says.
