Beware the Dreaded Hantavirus... or Not!
Thursday, May 14, 2026
“One downcast believer makes twenty souls sad.” – C.H. Spurgeon
You can’t watch TV, pick up a newspaper, or scroll on your phone these days without seeing a story about the dreaded hantavirus.
According to the World Health Organization, hantaviruses are a group of viruses carried by rodents that can cause severe disease in humans. People usually get infected through contact with infected rodents or their urine, droppings or saliva.
The Andes virus, found in South America, is a hantavirus for which limited human to human transmission has been documented. This is the one making all the headlines because of the outbreak on the Dutch-flagged MV Hondius. There was a total of nine confirmed and two suspected cases onboard the ship with three deaths.
In Europe and Asia, hantaviruses cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). In the Americas, hantaviruses can cause hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), a severe respiratory illness, with a fatality rate of up to 50%.
However, there are other things that are even more contagious than a hantavirus. Among them are fear, panic, sadness, and despair.
At my previous ministry, one of the things I taught my assistant – and eventual successor – was that when something unexpected happens or things take a turn for the worse, “Don’t let them see you sweat.” In other words, if you, as the leader, keep your head and remain cool, calm and collected, the people around you will most likely do the same. But if you hit the panic button, they will too.
As a Christian, we should take comfort in the fact that God is steadfast and sovereign. He remains on His throne 24/7, never slumbers or sleeps, and nothing catches Him by surprise.
Let me leave you with two Bible verses – one that refers to a panic-driven stampede and one that reminds us why, as believers, we should be both courageous and fearless in the face of unforeseen circumstances.
“A thousand will flee at the threat of one; at the threat of five you will all flee away, till you are left like a flagstaff on a mountaintop, like a banner on a hill.” Isaiah 30:17 (NIV)
“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31 (NIV)
- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President
