Insight Webinar with IPC Partners - Hantavirus: epidemiology, situation overview, and IPC implications
Aired on 15 May 2026
In this special IPC Partners Insight Webinar, recorded in partnership with the Healthcare Infection Society, Dr Jon Otter provides a timely, evidence-led overview of the evolving hantavirus situation. With increasing media attention and public concern, triggered by a cruise ship–linked outbreak, this session explores what we know (and don’t know) about hantavirus, with a clear focus on practical infection prevention and control (IPC).
Key takeaway: While hantavirus (particularly Andes virus) can cause severe illness, the overall risk to the general public remains very low, and it is not expected to behave like COVID-19. Early recognition, appropriate precautions, and evidence-based IPC measures are critical.
IPC Partners is a collaborative of experts providing infection prevention information and solutions to healthcare providers and corporate partners. The Infection Prevention Society is a membership society that strives to fulfil its vision of a world where no person is harmed by a preventable infection by supporting, improving, engaging, and impacting positively to influence and improve evidence-based IPC practice, for the benefit of all. The Healthcare Infection Society represents a broad membership of experts in the prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections, and aims to advance knowledge, foster scientific interest and share information about the field.
This webinar is aimed at:
Infection Prevention & Control professionals, clinicians, and laboratory teams. The webinar will equip attendees with the latest insights to support rapid recognition, effective response, and preparedness.
Convenors: Dr. Jon Otter & Dr Phil Norville.
What This Webinar Covers:
- Current outbreak overview and global situation
- Hantavirus epidemiology and transmission dynamics
- Key differences between hantavirus strains (including Andes virus)
- Incubation period, clinical features, and severity
- Evidence for (and limits of) person-to-person transmission
- Environmental survival and disinfection insights
- Latest IPC guidance – including PPE, isolation, and cleaning protocols
- Practical recommendations for healthcare and community settings
About This Webinar Series:
About the Insight Webinar series Insight Webinars bring together leading experts to provide focused, practical overviews of key IPC topics. This webinar attracted over 700 registrants and includes a live Q&A addressing real-world challenges from healthcare professionals.
All sessions are CPD‑accredited by the Royal College of Pathologists and aim to provide concise expert overviews, stimulate discussion and build a global community of infection prevention enthusiasts. You can see the programme of webinars and their Journal Club cousins here: https://ipcpartners.org/learn-with-us/