HARRISONBURG, VA (Rocktown Now) — Travelers booked on cruises this summer, or considering booking, shouldn’t change their plans out of fear of hantavirus, according to a James Madison University researcher.

“Travelers should be aware of more common viral illnesses that occur in cruise settings. These include norovirus, seasonal respiratory viruses, COVID-19 and influenza,” said Sojib Zaman, a professor of health sciences who has reportedly been included in Stanford/Elsevier’s 2% Top Scientist rankings the past four years.

Zaman said one of the biggest mistakes travelers make is underestimating mild symptoms and continuing to participate in group activities.

“This increases the risk of spreading illness to others and can prolong their own recovery,” he said. “Another frequent issue is overreliance on hand sanitizer alone. While it is convenient, it does not replace proper handwashing, particularly for illnesses like norovirus.”