Antarctica tourism boom sparks disease and contamination fears after hantavirus outbreak

A hantavirus outbreak raises alarms as visitor numbers climb

Antarctica’s tourism is surging, pulling in more than 80,000 visitors, but experts warn the boom could bring contamination and disease risks. A recent hantavirus outbreak underscores the threat, while scientists predict visits could triple. Strict curbs are in place to protect the fragile ecosystem from invasive species and illness, even as the continent’s allure continues to draw crowds.