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The disease has already been linked to multiple deaths and several confirmed infections

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The Andes strain of hantavirus is the only known hantavirus capable of spreading from person to person, making it far more alarming to public health officials than typical rodent-borne hantaviruses.

• An outbreak aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius has been linked to at least 11 confirmed or probable cases and three deaths across multiple countries.

• Health authorities say the overall public risk remains low, but the long incubation period and international travel involved in the outbreak have triggered a global tracing and quarantine effort.

An outbreak of the rare Andes strain of hantavirus aboard an expedition cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean has prompted an international public health response, with officials racing to track passengers scattered across more than 20 countries.

The outbreak, centered on the Dutch-flagged vessel MV Hondius, has already been linked to multiple deaths and several confirmed infections. What makes the situation especially concerning is that the virus involved Andes hantavirus is the only known hantavirus capable of spreading directly between humans.

Health agencies, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) have all issued alerts or launched monitoring efforts tied to the incident.

What is Andes hantavirus?

Hantaviruses are a family of viruses typically spread to humans through contact with infected rodents, especially exposure to rodent urine, saliva, or droppings. In the Americas, hantavirus infections can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a severe respiratory illness that can rapidly progress to respiratory failure.

Most hantavirus strains are not known to spread between people. Andes hantavirus first identified in Argentina in the 1990s is the exception. Researchers have documented limited person-to-person transmission in previous outbreaks in South America, generally involving close and prolonged contact with infected individuals.

According to the CDC, transmission typically requires exposure to respiratory secretions or other bodily fluids from someone who is already symptomatic.

Symptoms can initially resemble the flu, including fever, fatigue, muscle aches, nausea, and vomiting. In severe cases, patients develop pneumonia-like symptoms and acute respiratory distress. The fatality rate for serious hantavirus pulmonary syndrome cases is estimated at roughly 38%.

There is currently no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for the disease.

Why the cruise ship outbreak is worrisome

The outbreak aboard the MV Hondius is unusual for several reasons.

First, cruise ships provide the kind of close, prolonged contact that could facilitate the limited human-to-human spread associated with Andes hantavirus. Passengers often share dining spaces, cabins, tours, and ventilation systems for days or weeks at a time.

Second, the ship carried passengers and crew from 23 countries, greatly complicating efforts to trace potential exposures after some travelers disembarked before the outbreak was recognized.

WHO officials say symptoms among infected passengers developed between early and late April, but hantavirus was not confirmed until early May.

That delay matters because Andes hantavirus has a long incubation period anywhere from four days to six weeks, and in some cases longer.

As a result, health authorities are now monitoring travelers across multiple continents for signs of illness. Some passengers have been transferred to specialized quarantine or biocontainment facilities in the United States and Europe.

The outbreak has also triggered concern because investigators have not found clear evidence of rodents aboard the ship, raising questions about whether at least some transmission occurred between people rather than directly from infected animals.

What its not

Despite widespread attention and comparisons on social media, infectious disease experts stress that Andes hantavirus is far less transmissible than COVID-19.

WHO officials and epidemiologists note that the virus does not appear to spread easily through casual contact or airborne transmission in the same way the coronavirus does. Instead, transmission generally requires sustained close interaction.

Public health agencies currently assess the broader risk to the general population as low.

Facebook and Instagram have come under increasing pressure

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Plaintiffs in multiple lawsuits allege Meta knowingly profits from scam advertisements on Facebook and Instagram.

• Consumer advocates and regulators claim fraudulent ads have led to significant financial losses for users, particularly older Americans.

• Meta says it actively removes scam content and invests heavily in fraud detection technology, but critics argue enforcement remains inadequate.

An increasing number of reach their victims on social media, and at least one platform is facing mounting legal pressure from consumers, advocacy groups and regulators. Multiple lawsuits have claimed that Meta has failed to stop scammers from using Facebook and Instagram advertisements to defraud users.

The lawsuits, filed in several jurisdictions over the past year, accuse Meta of allowing fraudulent advertisements to proliferate on its platforms while continuing to profit from advertising revenue generated by bad actors. Plaintiffs argue that Metas advertising systems inadequately screen advertisers and that the company ignored repeated warnings about scam activity.

One of the latest actions is a suit by Santa Clara County, Calif. The action, filed by County Counsel Tony LoPresti, claims that the company has profited from "a vast ecosystem of scam ads" that have defrauded senior citizens and other vulnerable people.

In April, the Consumer Federation of American sued Meta, alleging the company misled users about scam advertisements.

Most common

Many of the complaints center on investment , fake celebrity endorsements, cryptocurrency schemes and fraudulent online storefronts that allegedly duped users into handing over money or personal information. Some plaintiffs claim they lost thousands of dollars after clicking on advertisements that appeared legitimate because they were hosted on Facebook or Instagram.

Consumer protection advocates say the issue has become increasingly serious as scammers exploit Metas sophisticated targeting tools to reach vulnerable users. Older adults, in particular, have reportedly been frequent targets of fraudulent financial advertisements.

The legal actions come amid broader scrutiny of large technology companies and their responsibility for harmful or deceptive content distributed through automated advertising systems. Regulators in several countries have been examining whether social media companies should bear greater liability for paid scam promotions appearing on their platforms.

Metas response

In response, Meta has defended its anti-fraud efforts, saying it removes millions of scam-related accounts and advertisements every year. The company says it uses artificial intelligence, human moderators and partnerships with financial institutions and law enforcement agencies to identify and block fraudulent activity.

Scammers are relentless and constantly evolving their tactics, Meta said in a statement responding to criticism. We continue to invest substantial resources into protecting users and preventing fraudulent ads from appearing on our platforms.

However, critics argue that the companys moderation efforts remain reactive rather than preventive. Some lawsuits allege that scammers were able to repeatedly purchase new advertisements even after earlier campaigns had been flagged or removed.

Legal experts say the cases could test the extent to which online platforms can be held responsible for advertisements created by third parties. Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act has historically shielded internet companies from liability for user-generated content, but plaintiffs contend that paid advertising may fall into a different legal category because platforms directly profit from distributing the material.

If courts allow the cases to proceed, the litigation could have significant implications for the digital advertising industry and potentially force stricter verification standards for online advertisers.

The lawsuits also reflect growing public frustration over online fraud, which has surged in recent years. According to federal consumer protection agencies, Americans lost billions of dollars to internet last year, with social media platforms increasingly cited as common points of contact between scammers and victims.

On the downside, mortgage delinquencies increased

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• U.S. household debt rose by $18 billion in the first quarter of 2026 to a record $18.8 trillion, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

• Credit card balances declined seasonally, while mortgage, auto loan and home equity borrowing all increased.

• Student loan delinquencies continued returning to pre-pandemic levels, with more than 2.6 million borrowers transferred to the Education Departments default resolution program.

If youre going deeper into debt just to keep your head above water, you arent alone. U.S. household debt rose by $18 billion in the first quarter of 2026 to a record $18.8 trillion, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. But the headline number might not be as dire as it seems.

The New York Feds Quarterly Report on Household Debt and Credit showed total household debt increased by $18 billion, or 0.1%, to $18.8 trillion during the January-through-March period.

Mortgage balances rose by $21 billion to $13.19 trillion, while home equity lines of credit climbed by $12 billion to $446 billion, continuing a rebound in HELOC borrowing that began in 2022. Auto loan balances increased by $18 billion to $1.69 trillion.

But there was good news about credit cards

Credit card balances, however, fell by $25 billion to $1.25 trillion, reflecting what economists described as a typical seasonal decline after holiday spending. Student loan balances were essentially unchanged, slipping by $6 billion to $1.66 trillion.

Aggregate household debt levels rose slightly, with modest increases in most debt types offsetting a seasonal decline in credit card balances, Daniel Mangrum, a research economist at the New York Fed, said in a statement. Delinquency transition rates were mostly steady, while student loan delinquencies are returning to pre-pandemic levels.

The report found delinquency rates showed little overall movement. About 4.8% of outstanding debt was in some stage of delinquency during the quarter. Early-stage delinquency rates held steady for auto loans and declined slightly for credit cards and mortgages.

Problem mortgages

Still, some signs of financial strain persisted. Mortgage transitions into serious delinquency loans becoming at least 90 days overdue increased slightly from 1.4% to 1.5%. Serious delinquency rates for auto loans and credit cards were mostly unchanged.

Student loan repayment issues continued to draw attention as pandemic-era protections faded. The New York Fed said the student loan delinquency rate increased to 10.3% of balances that were at least 90 days past due, up from 9.6% in the previous quarter. Approximately 2.6 million borrowers more than 120 days behind on payments had their loans transferred to the U.S. Department of Educations Default Resolution Group.

The pace of new lending remained solid. Mortgage originations totaled $530 billion during the quarter, while $182 billion in new auto loans appeared on consumer credit reports. Credit card borrowing capacity also expanded, with aggregate card limits rising by $60 billion.

The landscaper red flags too many homeowners miss

• Watch for major red flags: Scammers often claim they have leftover materials and pressure you into making a same-day deal.

• Never hand over large upfront payments: Experts recommend smaller payments instead of paying for most of the project before work begins.

• Do your homework first: Read negative reviews, verify licensing and insurance, ask for references, and always insist on a written estimate.

A California homeowner says he lost thousands whenhe was he was pressured into paying $2,500 after a landscaper allegedly tried charging him $5,000 for a mulch job that he believed should have cost only a fraction of that amount, according to a recent report from CBS 8 San Diego.

Unfortunately, consumer experts say cases like this are becoming far more common as spring and summer landscaping season ramps up nationwide.

The often follow a predictable pattern:

• A contractor happens to be in the area with extra material.
• Theyre too busy to provide a proper estimate.
• They promise fast work and low prices.
• They often request a large upfront payment.
• Work either never starts, drags on endlessly, or is left unfinished.

Legitimate contractors should always be willing to provide:

• A written estimate
• A basic contract
• A breakdown of costs
• A payment schedule

Watch out for 'leftover materials'

This was the crux of the CBS 8 report. A landscaping crew showed up at the homeowners residence offering to mulch his yard for $10 a bag, which was a significant discount.

The homeowner added that the landscaper claimed they couldnt provide a written estimate because they were too busy, which is an obvious warning sign.

Once the work was completed, he was handed a $5,000 bill, the equivalent of 500 bags of mulch. The homeowner figured it was about a 50-bag job, so he knew he was being scammed.

He got the police involved but was told it was a civil matter and he needed to work it out with the landscaper. He ended up paying the scammer $2,500 to have him leave his property and avoid any future issues or harassment.

Be wary of anyone knocking on your door claiming:

• They just finished work nearby.
• They have leftover mulch, pavers, or asphalt.
• They can offer a huge discount but for today only.

This high-pressure tactic is extremely common in contractor .

Legitimate landscapers rarely:

• Demand same-day decisions
• Pressure homeowners at the door
• Offer steep discounts for immediate payment

A big red flag: Large upfront deposits

While deposits are normal for legitimate landscaping jobs, experts say homeowners should be cautious anytime a contractor demands a very large percentage upfront.

Thats especially true if they:

• Pressure you to pay immediately
• Only accept cash
• Claim the deal expires today"
• Ask for payment before materials arrive

A safer approach is to make smaller payments that are tied to actual work completed.

For example:

• Small deposit upfront
• Payment after demolition
• Payment after materials arrive
• Final payment after completion

Pro tip: Paying with a credit card (if possible) can provide stronger fraud protections than cash, checks, or payment apps.

Fake reviews are making harder to spot

One reason these are spreading is because scammers now look far more believable online. A polished website and dozens of five-star reviews no longer guarantee a company is legitimate.

Before hiring anyone:

• Read negative reviews first
• Check how long the business has existed
• Search the company name plus complaints or scam
• Verify licensing and insurance directly
• Ask for local references

Pro tip:Reverse-image search any landscaping photos on their website or social media pages. Some scammers will steal project images from legitimate companies.

The bottom line

Landscaping are growing because homeowners are spending heavily on outdoor projects while scammers know many people want quick (and cheap) fixes during spring and summer.

The good news is that most share the same warning signs like inability to provide an estimate, large deposits, and rushed decisions.

Taking an extra day to research a landscaper and insisting everything is put in writing could potentially save you thousands of dollars and a massive headache later.

The retailer tested the service in Seattle and Philadelphia

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Amazon is expanding its new Amazon Now service to dozens of U.S. cities, promising delivery of groceries and household essentials in about 30 minutes or less.

• The service will initially reach millions of customers in metro areas including Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Philadelphia, and Seattle, with more cities planned by years end.

• Prime members will pay delivery fees starting at $3.99, while Amazon positions the service as its fastest mainstream delivery option yet.

Several decades ago, a pizza chain promised delivery within 30 minutes or less. Now Amazon is making that promise in select cities sort of.

The company has announced that the ultra-fast delivery service around 30 minutes is expanding to dozens of cities across the United States after initial pilot programs in Seattle and Philadelphia. Amazon said the service is now broadly available in Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Philadelphia,and Seattle, while additional expansion is planned for cities including Houston, Phoenix, Denver, Orlando, Minneapolis,and Oklahoma City.

Amazon Now focuses on high-demand items customers may need immediately, including groceries, household essentials, over-the-counter medications, pet supplies, and small electronics. Amazon executive Udit Madan said the service is designed for situations where consumers need or want the convenience of rapid delivery.

The service operates through smaller urban fulfillment hubs stocked with roughly 3,500 frequently purchased products. Those facilities are significantly smaller than Amazons traditional warehouses and are intended to shorten delivery times in densely populated areas.

What it costs

Prime members will pay delivery fees beginning at $3.99 per order, while non-Prime customers will pay $13.99. Amazon also plans to charge small-order fees for purchases under $15.

The launch intensifies competition among retailers racing to provide near-instant fulfillment. Walmart already offers express delivery on more than 100,000 products, and app-based services such as Instacart and DoorDash have conditioned consumers to expect faster delivery windows.

Amazon executives said the company has seen strong demand for faster shipping options, noting that orders for everyday essentials are growing faster than other delivery categories. The company has steadily shortened delivery windows over the past decade, moving from two-day Prime shipping to same-day and one-hour delivery in some markets.

Still, analysts cautioned that ultra-fast delivery can be expensive and difficult to scale profitably.

Amazon also appears mindful of comparisons to Dominos Pizzas abandoned 30 minutes or less guarantee, which ended in the 1990s after lawsuits tied to delivery crashes. Amazon said it will not guarantee delivery times and emphasized that workers and drivers are not expected to rush orders.