Can hantavirus make the penis shrink? Fact-checking wild claims after cruise ship outbreak

However, with multiple accounts sharing the same information, the claims were amplified and caused concern for many. “Scientists confirm hantavirus can reduce the size of your penis by up to three inches,” one wrote.

other additional “Research shows hantavirus can reduce penis size by 3 inches. This claim has been confirmed by the World Health Organization, which warns everyone, especially men, to stay safe.” Yet another explain “According to recent research, scientists have confirmed that hantavirus can reduce the size of your penis by up to three inches.”

Meanwhile, three people have died from hantavirus on the cruise ship. Countries are closely monitoring whether passengers on board have come into contact with others. Passengers from the United States are currently in quarantine in Nebraska after an outbreak was reported on the MV Hondius, with two of them being flown to Atlanta.

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States that are tracking the situation include Arizona, California, Georgia, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, Virginia and Texas. The latest report shows that Minnesota and illinois Possible cases are also being tracked.

While officials say there’s nothing to worry about right now, the world remains on edge in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, and recent claims about hantavirus affecting penis size have done little to ease concerns.

Some people on X see through these crazy claims, and one person commented “This is false. There is no scientific evidence or published research linking hantavirus to reduced penis size. This is not a documented symptom or side effect of hantavirus infection.”

Grok also fact-checked these claims and wrote “No, this is not true. This is a viral hoax being spread on social media with false “research” claims. Hantaviruses (according to the CDC) can cause flu-like symptoms, muscle pain, and possibly severe lung or kidney problems upon rodent exposure, but do not affect genitalia or penile atrophy. Pure misinformation.”

Of note, hantaviruses are typically transmitted to humans through contact with rodent urine, feces, or saliva. The strain at the heart of the outbreak is believed to be the Andean strain, which, according to the World Health Organization, can be transmitted from person to person. according to Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Hantaviruses can cause diseases such as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS).

Some patients also experience headaches, dizziness, chills and abdominal problems such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain, according to the CDC. Late symptoms begin to appear 4-10 days after the initial onset of the disease. This may include coughing and shortness of breath.

Another disease is HFRS, which is very serious, sometimes fatal, and can affect the kidneys, according to the CDC. This may occur within 1-2 weeks of exposure. Initial symptoms include severe headache, back and abdominal pain, fever/chills, nausea, and blurred vision. Later symptoms may include hypotension, insufficient blood flow (acute shock), internal bleeding (leakage in blood vessels), and acute kidney failure, which can lead to severe fluid overload, the CDC notes.