Methodology

This page explains how the Hantavirus Explained tracker collects, verifies, and publishes outbreak data.

Data Collection

We monitor a fixed set of authoritative sources: multilateral organizations (WHO, ECDC, PAHO), national health authorities (US CDC, UK HSA), and select wire-news outlets. Each source is polled on a regular schedule. Feeds are pulled in plain text and normalized.

Event Extraction

Each article or bulletin is analyzed to identify discrete hantavirus-related events: new cases, deaths, travel advisories, policy changes, and research findings. Events are dated to when they occurred (not when reported), include location and case counts, and are linked to original sources.

Verification

A case is marked "confirmed" only when a primary source (WHO, CDC, national health ministry) has announced laboratory confirmation. Suspected cases are those reported by credible sources but not yet laboratory-confirmed. All figures are attributable to a named source; we do not estimate or interpolate.

Editorial Standards

• Tone: Calm and factual. We use the language sources use; we do not add emphasis or interpretation.
• Attribution: Every case, death, and date is linked to a primary source.
• No speculation: We do not model, project, or forecast outbreak trajectory.
• No advertising: The site runs no ads and accepts no sponsored placement.

Corrections

Errors in dates, locations, case counts, or attributions should be reported to [email protected] with a link to the page and a brief description. We aim to respond within 72 hours and publish a correction notice on the relevant page.

Limitations

This tracker depends on public health authorities to report cases. Unreported cases, asymptomatic infections, and cases in countries with limited surveillance capacity may not appear. The data reflects what has been publicly disclosed, not the true disease burden.