Hantavirus survivor reveals 1 ‘terrifying’ symptom of deadly virus that left her struggling for six months

Mary Stanley, 43, from Norman, Oklahoma, contracted hantavirus in May 2025. As the hantavirus outbreak aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius continues drawing widespread attention, she is now sharing the terrifying symptoms she experienced.

Passengers aboard the MV Hondius have now been evacuated following the serious hantavirus outbreak. On Sunday, passengers began being flown home from Tenerife on military and government-chartered flights.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, issued a statement on Saturday directly addressing the people of Tenerife, saying: “The virus aboard the MV Hondius is the Andes strain of hantavirus. It is serious. Three people have lost their lives, and our hearts go out to their families. The risk to you, living your daily life in Tenerife, is low. This is the WHO’s assessment, and we do not make it lightly.”

How is the hantavirus typically transmitted?

He also stressed that this is not the beginning of another COVID pandemic, saying: “This is not another COVID. The current public health risk from hantavirus remains low. My colleagues and I have said this unequivocally, and I will say it again to you now.”