After three deaths on a cruise ship hit by the hantavirus, authorities are scrambling to trace potentially infected individuals. Could contact-tracing apps help? Not really.

Contact-tracing apps were revolutionary during the COVID-19 pandemic, using Bluetooth connections to notify users if they had been near someone who tested positive. But this virus is far less widespread, making such broad data collection impractical. Each case must be meticulously traced back to its source and onward contacts.

The accuracy of such apps also raises privacy concerns, as constant tracking could lead to false positives or negatives. During smaller outbreaks like the hantavirus, the precision required surpasses what these apps can offer. Traditional contact tracing remains more effective.

While technology played a role in managing larger-scale pandemics in Europe, it struggled in the United States. For something as targeted and small-scale as the hantavirus, old-fashioned legwork is often the best approach. Precision matters when lives are at stake.