Hantavirus outbreak and what’s in a name

About this episode

The episode discusses an unusual hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship and explores the complexities of disease naming and a mysterious case at an aquarium.

An outbreak of hantavirus on the MV Hondius cruise ship has us looking at the unexpected science around the disease. First up, why is this outbreak such an unusual occurrence? Then, what's in a name? We look at how diseases are named, and why the system has sometimes been problematic. Also, the mysterious case of medicine disappearing from the quarantine tanks at an aquarium. We speak to the expert who solved the puzzle. All that, plus more fun and strange science, on this week's Unexpected Elements. Presenters: Alex Lathbridge, with Camilla Mota and Kai Kupferschmidt Producers: Margaret Sessa-Hawkins, with Alice Lipscombe-Southwell, Robbie Wojciechowski and Scarlett Victoria

People in this episode

Hosts: Alex Lathbridge, Camilla Mota, Kai Kupferschmidt

Topics covered

• hantavirus outbreak
• disease naming
• science
• aquarium medicine
• unexpected occurrences

Keywords

• hantavirus
• MV Hondius
• disease naming
• aquarium
• science

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: MV Hondius, BBC World Service

More episodes of Unexpected Elements

• The beautiful game · June 12, 2026 · 50 min
• Science bears fruit · June 5, 2026 · 52 min
• Celebrating science on Africa Day · May 29, 2026 · 50 min
• Unexpected enhancements · May 22, 2026 · 50 min
• One hundred years of Sir David Attenborough · May 8, 2026 · 50 min
• The soaring price of condoms · May 1, 2026 · 50 min