The outbreak of a deadly virus aboard a cruise ship may sound familiar to the COVID-19 outbreak — but while it's a serious scenario, public health figures aren't anticipating the next global pandemic.

The big picture: The hantavirus has left travelers isolating in their rooms, sparked a diplomatic debate about where the ship should port and launched a contact-tracing scramble.

• The Andes strain of the virus, which health authorities have identified as the culprit on the cruise, is the only one known to be capable of transmission between humans.
• Three deaths have been reported and several others have fallen ill after the outbreak on the ship that embarked from Argentina early last month. So far, the World Health Organization (WHO) says eight suspected or confirmed cases connected to the ship have been reported.
• U.S. officials in at least five states are monitoring returning passengers' symptoms, but no cases have been confirmed, The Washington Post reported.

Yes, but: Health authorities are unequivocal: This is not COVID 2.0.

• Abdirahman Mahamud, the WHO's director for Health Emergency Alert and Response Operations, said last week that "if we follow public health measures" and lessons learned from the prior hantavirus surge that hit Argentina in 2018, "we can break this chain of transmission."

Context: That doesn't mean the virus shouldn't be taken seriously. WHO officials are urging cross-border collaboration to trace and contain the spread. And they warn that with the virus's weeks-long incubation period, more cases are possible.

• Infections are rare, but come with a fatality rate of up to 50% in the Americas, per WHO.

Still, WHO officials assessed that there is no current risk of a COVID-like spread.

• "This is not COVID, this is not influenza," Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO's acting director for epidemic and pandemic management, said at Thursday's press conference. "It spreads very, very differently."
• Transmission, health experts said last week, has been associated with close, prolonged contact, such as between household members, intimate partners and people providing medical care.

The bottom line: WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that outbreaks like these show why health security is a universal effort.

• "Viruses don't care about our politics and they don't care about our borders."

Go deeper

Pittsburgh Regional Transit is rolling out its new ReadyFare cards soon and phasing out its old cards.

Why it matters: Public transit users will need to swap out their ConnectCards soon if they want to keep riding.

Zoom in: The new cards will be web-based, allowing users to add value online immediately instead of the at least two-day delays for ConnectCards.

• Users will also be able to manage multiple cards from one account.

Yes, but: ConnectCards will still work during the transition over the next few months.

• Cash fares will still be accepted during and after the transition.

State of play: ConnectCard users can transfer funds to the Ready2Ride app now before ReadyFare cards are available later this month.

• Once cards are available, users can acquire them at vending machines, by mail, at retail partners like Giant Eagle, and at the PRT Service Center in Downtown.
• Get more details on reduced fare cards, student passes and senior fare cards here.

What's next: ReadyFare vending machines are rolling out at various locations later this month, per PRT.

• A specific date has not been announced, but they should be all swapped out by the end of July, said PRT spokesperson Adam Brandolph.

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🏪 Pittsburgh's zoning board raised concerns about a proposed Sheetz in Banksville being too close to residences at a meeting last week.

• The convenience store/gas station chain is seeking a variance and must provide additional evidence and legal reasoning, the board said. (TribLive)

👟 The Steelers re-signed kicker Chris Boswell to a four-year, $28 million contract. The All-Pro is now tied as the highest-paid kicker in the NFL. (Steelers Depot)

🍓 Eat'n Park has debuted Strawberry Smiley Cookies to celebrate the cookie's 40th anniversary and pay homage to another of the diner's classics, the strawberry pie.

• Available at restaurants and online ($21.99 for 12).

🪑 Old seats from Acrisure Stadium are being sold by the Steelers. Single seats are available for $399 and stadium pairs for $599. Check out availability here. (meigray.com)

Market Square's pop-up roller rink packed Downtown with skaters of every age and ability during its debut weekend.

How it works: Buy tickets in advance — $17 for a 75-minute session. The price includes skate rentals, or you're welcome to bring your own skates or blades.

• Sessions may be delayed or canceled due to weather. Check the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership website or your email for updates before heading out.

Pro tip: Don't miss the themed skate nights. Last weekend was '90s throwback hits, Thursday is country night, Friday-Saturday is disco weekend, and May 22–23 is all about girly pop.

• Tonight is paint, sip and skate night.

Zoom in: There's a full-service pop-up bar for skaters and spectators with specialty cocktails, beer and wine.

• Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult while skating. A temporary city policy also requires minors entering Market Square to be with a chaperone at least 21 years old Thursday-Sunday, 3pm-12am.

If you go: Skate the Square runs through May 25.

• Monday–Wednesday 4pm–10pm; Thursday 11am–2pm and 4pm–10pm; Friday 4pm–10pm; Saturday–Sunday noon–10pm.