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WHN Voices Magazine is a community publication created by and for people who care about public health, clean air, Long COVID, disability justice, and building a safer future. We're looking for articles, personal stories, poetry, artwork, interviews, reviews, and creative submissions from voices across our community. Whether you're COVID-cautious, COVID-curious, a healthcare professional, researcher, advocate, artist, caregiver, or simply someone with a story to tell, we'd love to hear from you. Submit your work to: whnvoices@whn.global Read the latest issue and explore past editions here: whn.global/voices-magazine/ Together, we can share knowledge, amplify lived experiences, and help others feel less alone. #LongCOVID #PublicHealth #COVID19 #CleanAir #DisabilityJustice

"We shouldn't overreact before we have definitive proof." It's a common argument in public health discussions, especially when new risks emerge and uncertainty remains. But public health isn't a criminal trial. The principle of "innocent until proven guilty" exists to protect people from unjust punishment. Pathogens are not people. Viruses don't have rights, intentions, or due process claims. They spread, mutate, disable, and kill while we debate evidence thresholds. The precautionary principle offers a different framework: when there is a credible risk of serious harm, lack of complete scientific certainty is not a reason to delay protective action. From asbestos and lead to tobacco and airborne disease transmission, history has shown the cost of waiting for absolute proof before acting. In this new article, Naomi Bar-Yam explores why public health must be guided by precaution, not certainty, and what that means for emerging threats like Andes hantavirus. Read the full article: whn.global/due-process-for-p… #PublicHealth #GlobalHealth #HantavirusAndes #Hantavirus #AndesHantavirus #HealthPolicy #Pandemic #AirborneTransmission #Ebola #COVID #COVID19 #LongCOVID #InfectionPrevention

Ebola cases are rising, and experts warn this outbreak is different. The current outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain, a less-studied strain of Ebola for which there is currently no approved vaccine or targeted treatment. Cases and deaths continue to climb, while health workers face another challenge: misinformation spreading faster than the virus itself. Watch the full conversation on our YouTube channel to learn what public health experts are seeing on the ground, why this outbreak matters globally, and what comes next. Watch the full Town Hall: youtube.com/watch?v=3psxx7N3… #Ebola #PublicHealth #GlobalHealth #InfectionPrevention #InfectiousDisease #HealthNews #DiseasePrevention

The current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda continues to evolve, with suspected cases rising and health authorities facing significant challenges in containment efforts. By May 20, there were 600 suspected cases and 139 suspected deaths, with 51 confirmed cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo. On May 22, the WHO updated the DRC’s risk to “very high”. The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which no approved vaccine or specific treatment currently exists. Transmission has reached major population centers, and ongoing conflict in parts of the region is making response efforts more difficult. Understanding what's happening, why experts are concerned, and what measures are being used to contain the outbreak is essential as the situation develops. Read more: whn.global/newsletter/ebola-… #Ebola #PublicHealth #GlobalHealth #OutbreakUpdate #HealthSecurity #InfectiousDisease

WHN’s Kids’ Zone Magazine is a free, downloadable issue packed with kid-friendly stories, art, science, and COVID-conscious lifestyle ideas made for families who are still choosing care. Download the latest issue for free explore past editions anytime: whn.global/kidszone/ #PublicHealth #COVID #COVID19 #COVIDConscious

Join WHN tomorrow, June 2nd 12-1 PM ET for an important discussion on the current Ebola outbreak, featuring insights from Stephane Bilodeau and Yaneer Bar-Yam. Register here: necsi-edu.zoom.us/meeting/re… #Ebola #EbolaVirus #PublicHealth #InfectionPrevention #DiseasePrevention

Ebola is not a disease that should be chased around the world after it spreads. Once transmission enters the global transportation network, it can move to anywhere and from there everywhere. Effective management means acting before that happens. WHN paper: whn.global/scientific/manage… #Ebola #PublicHealth #OutbreakResponse #GlobalHealth #DiseasePrevention #InfectionPrevention

What is Mask Week? From May 25 to 31, Mask Week is a collective effort to normalize masking in shared spaces and encourage people to mask up as often as possible to help protect themselves and others. It’s also a chance to build solidarity, connect with community, inspire local action, and strengthen practices of collective care. Every Mask Week may look different from place to place, but the message is the same: consistent masking helps keep communities safer. Masking matters year-round, and Mask Week is meant to help strengthen habits of everyday community protection and care. Share this graphic to help spread the word about Mask Week and encourage everyday community care through masking. #MaskWeek #Masking #MaskUp #N95 #PublicHealth #CommunityHealth

Scientists and clinicians studying the current Andes hantavirus outbreak warn that several factors may increase transmission risk, including unclear timing of infectiousness, possible spread before symptoms appear, unreliable early PCR testing, and incubation periods that may extend beyond 45 days. In this new editorial, the WHN Science Communications team reviews what is currently known about the outbreak, lessons from prior Argentine outbreaks, the role of quarantine and respiratory protection, and why international coordination and clear public communication matter as the situation evolves. Read the full article: whn.global/scientific/hantav… #Hantavirus #AndesHantavirus #PublicHealth #HealthEducation #GlobalHealth #InfectionPrevention

As the Andes hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship expands across multiple countries, researchers are warning that airborne transmission must be taken seriously. Current guidance in some settings still recommends medical masks, despite respirators such as N95, FFP2, and FFP3 masks being specifically designed to protect against airborne infectious particles. Medical masks are not designed to provide the same level of airborne protection. With documented person-to-person transmission, uncertain infectious timing, and long incubation periods, the World Health Network is calling for stronger airborne precautions, including universal respirator use and clearer public communication around airborne risk. Read the full piece here: whn.global/scientific/hantav… #AndesHantavirus #Hantavirus #PublicHealth #Respirators #CleanAir #AirborneProtection

Argentine Context for the MV Hondius Outbreak Andes hantavirus cases are increasing in Argentina, with reported spread expanding beyond historically isolated rural regions into more populated areas including Buenos Aires Province. Researchers are warning that increasing transmission in denser and more globally connected regions could raise the risk of larger outbreaks and wider international spread. Andes virus is also the only hantavirus strain with documented person-to-person transmission. The article also examines: • Rising case numbers and mortality trends • The historical Epuyén superspreader outbreak • The MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak • Why experts are concerned about spread through modern travel networks Read the full article here: whn.global/newsletter/the-cu… #Hantavirus #AndesHantavirus #PublicHealth #MVHondius #GlobalHealth #InfectionPrevention

This animation traces the 45-day voyage of the expedition cruise ship M/V Hondius from Ushuaia, Argentina to the English Channel (1 Apr – 15 May 2026), during which an outbreak of Andes hantavirus was identified on board. Watch the outbreak timeline and tracking animation here: whn.global/m-v-hondius-atlan… Because the outbreak investigation is ongoing and publicly available information remains incomplete and rapidly evolving, some details may later change as additional reporting and updates emerge. Corrections or additional sourced information may be sent to info@whn.global. #Hantavirus #AndesHantavirus #PublicHealth

The Andes hantavirus outbreak is raising urgent public health questions. In this WHN Town Hall clip, experts discuss airborne transmission risks, why respirators matter, and where current guidance may be falling short as the international situation evolves. Watch the full discussion: youtu.be/MjUTieBRDO4 #Hantavirus #AndesVirus #AndesHantavirus #PublicHealth #InfectionPrevention

Join us tomorrow for a special WHN Town Hall featuring Eric Feigl-Ding and Barry Hunt as they discuss current public health developments, ongoing global risks, and the importance of prevention in 2026. 📅 Tuesday, May 12 ⏰ 12–1 PM EDT Register for the Zoom Town Hall here: necsi-edu.zoom.us/meeting/re… #Hantavirus #PublicHealth #InfectionPrevention #GlobalHealth

Andes hantavirus has documented human-to-human transmission, yet current WHO guidance still does not recommend airborne precautions or respirator use (such as N95s). WHN has issued an open letter urging stronger protections for healthcare workers, passengers, and the public, including clearer guidance on airborne risk, respirator use, and prevention measures. Read the full open letter: whn.global/open-letter-to-wh… #Hantavirus #AndesHantavirus #PublicHealth #InfectionPrevention

The Andes virus outbreak associated with the MV Hondius should be treated with urgency now, before transmission chains become established internationally. 1/

It’s a question more and more people are asking. Constant colds. Lingering coughs. Getting sick again just weeks later. Feeling like your body never fully resets. This isn’t just “seasonal illness” anymore. Multiple airborne viruses continue to circulate year-round, while many indoor spaces still lack clean, well-ventilated air. Repeated infections can take a toll on the immune system and increase the risk of long-term health impacts, including Long COVID. The good news: cleaner indoor air, better ventilation, filtration, testing, and masking in crowded spaces can meaningfully reduce risk. Awareness matters. Prevention still matters. #InfectionPrevention #PublicHealth #LongCOVID #COVID #COVID19 #AirborneVirus

Dizziness, vertigo, balance problems, feeling unsteady for no clear reason. These are real and increasingly documented symptoms many people experience after COVID-19 infection. Research shows COVID-19 can affect the inner ear and vestibular system, potentially leading to long-lasting symptoms that continue months or even years later for some patients. Read the full article to learn more about the connection between COVID-19 and vestibular dysfunction: whn.global/why-long-covid-ba… #COVID #COVID19 #LongCOVID #PublicHealth #COVIDIsNotOver #LongCOVIDAwareness

WHN’s Kids’ Zone Magazine is a free, downloadable issue packed with kid-friendly stories, art, science, and COVID-conscious lifestyle ideas made for families who are still choosing care. Download the latest issue for free explore past editions anytime: whn.global/kidszone/ #PublicHealth #COVID #COVID19 #COVIDConscious