Big Exclusive: Dr Jeffrey Gold, President of the University of Nebraska Speaks To Times Now News

For the first time University of Nebraska President speaks to an Indian media outlet, Timesnownews.com. Nebraska is the place where the latest virus - Hantavirus - patients are being quarantined. Yesterday the US Armed Forces, Governor Nebraska and Chief Medical Officer & President of University of Nebraska did their FIRST NATIONAL ADDRESS on the virus situation and today Timesnownews.com brings you the EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with The President of University of Nebraska on the Ground Zero site of hantavirus.Speaking to Times Now Digital shortly after, Dr. Gold said the situation, while serious, remains contained for now. “No need to panic. This is a very limited outbreak of a well-understood viral pathogen. Quarantine with meticulous monitoring

of high-risk exposures for the transmission/incubation period is appropriate.” His comments come at a time when public anxiety around the virus is rapidly growing, particularly because the Andes variant of hantavirus is one of the very few hantavirus strains historically associated with human-to-human transmission. And while health officials have repeatedly stressed that hantavirus does not have ‘pandemic capability’ like COVID-19, Dr. Gold acknowledged that more research is still needed into this specific subtype linked to the cruise outbreak. “The Andes variant of Hantavirus is well known, however, until we better characterise this specific subtype we will use all precautions. More research into the characteristics of this subtype is actively ongoing.” One of the biggest challenges around hantavirus outbreaks has always been the uncertainty surrounding incubation timelines. According to Dr. Gold, older reports have documented incubation periods stretching up to eight weeks, though most Andes variant infections tend to emerge much earlier. “The incubation is stated to be as long as eight weeks based on historic reports. However, in most cases with the Andes variant it is under two weeks and can be several days. Likely depends on the route and viral load shared.” It is because of this wide and unpredictable window that authorities are opting for strict monitoring and quarantine protocols for those considered high-risk contacts. The Andes strain is also particularly feared because of the way it attacks the lungs. Severe infections can trigger life-threatening respiratory complications and aggressive immune responses inside the body. Dr. Gold said close medical observation remains critical because there are still no FDA-approved antiviral treatments specifically designed for hantavirus infections. “Pulmonary infection and immune response can be life threatening. This is why it is important to have close observation and medical monitoring of those potentially exposed to the virus. There are no FDA approved specific antivirals, several research drugs and excellent supportive care.” Questions also remain around when and how the MV Hondius itself will be declared safe again. However, Dr. Gold said sanitisation and clearance protocols would ultimately depend on the cruise operator. “Need to ask the cruise line. Each carrier has its own protocols.” For now, health authorities appear focused on one key objective: ensuring the outbreak remains limited, monitored, and contained before fear spreads faster than the virus itself.