The following statement can be attributed to Dr Sergio Sosa-Estani, Director of DNDi Latin America. He is a medical doctor, epidemiologist and clinical researcher specialized in infectious diseases and the co-author of a study on human-to-human hantavirus transmission during the 1996 outbreak in Argentina.
Additional spokespeople contacts can be found at the bottom of this message.
‘This crisis is a tragic reminder that we will keep paying in lives if we do not invest in science before new viral threats emerge or reemerge. This is a lesson we should have already learned.
Viral threats are on the rise, driven by climate change, global travel and trade, as well as increased contact between humans and wildlife. But the world remains dangerously ill-prepared.
The hantavirus outbreak highlights a broader, recurring challenge: the need to invest early in medical research and development (R&D) as a core part of pandemic preparedness to develop the necessary diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines that will be needed for future pandemic and epidemic threats.
In the case of treatments, broad-spectrum antivirals that target entire families of viruses can be developed, for example, so that high quality drug candidates are ready for testing when an outbreak hits or a new variant within a given virus family emerges. This can only work if there is sufficient investment before an outbreak in early discovery, preclinical and human safety studies, early chemistry and manufacturing, and other activities, so that we are ready when the time comes.
But investment in such efforts remains insufficient. This short‑termism is counterproductive: early investment in R&D is far less costly than having to respond to deadly outbreaks without effective tools.
International collaboration and open and transparent information sharing will also remain essential to ensure that, when outbreaks occur, the world can respond quickly, effectively, and equitably. At the World Health Assembly this coming week, health ministers will be continuing negotiations to finalize the Pandemic Agreement. In the meantime, it is essential that they make real, tangible progress toward effectively operationalizing key elements of the agreement, including how to finance and bring together networks to accelerate the development of new tools that can fill empty pipelines and ensure equitable access for all.’
Context
There is currently no approved specific treatment for hantavirus infection, a virus that the WHO has identified as a priority pathogen. As of 15 May 2026, WHO has reported no signs of a wider outbreak regarding the hantavirus (Andes virus) cluster linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship. It has warned that more cases could emerge in the coming weeks due to the virus’s long incubation period.
DNDi is working on several pandemic preparedness projects, including coronaviruses and flaviviruses (such as dengue) with many partners worldwide. While it does not have bunyaviruses – the viral family which includes hantaviruses – in its current portfolio of activities, DNDi is closely monitoring the situation and constantly assessing the new viral threats that could be added to its portfolio, as well as lending its expertise and network to the global response where needed.
In case you have questions, the following DNDi experts are available for media interviews:
Dr Sergio Sosa-Estani, Director of DNDi Latin America
Medical doctor, researcher and co-author of a study describing human-to-human hantavirus transmission during the 1996 outbreak in Argentina, can answer questions related to hantavirus epidemiology and response.
Michelle Childs, Director of Policy Advocacy
Global health policy expert, can answer questions related to global cooperation and pandemic preparedness.
Peter Sjö, Head of Drug Discovery Programme
Medicinal chemist and drug discovery researcher, can answer questions related to the development of broad-spectrum antivirals and new chemical entities for pandemic preparedness.
Media contacts
Frédéric Ojardias (DNDi Geneva)
fojardias@dndi.org
+41 79 431 62 16
Vania Alves (DNDi Rio de Janeiro)
valves@dndi.org
+55 21 99655 4795
Ilan Moss (DNDi New York)
imoss@dndi.org
+1 646 266 5216
