• 🧠 Trivia Challenge: Spotlight Hook
• 💪 Wellness Tip: Hantavirus’s Deadliness May Prevent a Global Pandemic
• ⚠️ Health Alert: Major Food Recalls Include Chips, Infant Formula and Frozen Pizza
• 😄 Meme of the Day – Just for laughs
• ❤️ Communities need strong connections: Show Your Support
• 📅 Events: Upcoming Events (Top Picks)

👉 Browse the highlights. Click your favorites.

Did someone forward you our Cary newsletter? Then subscribe here

Question: How many apples can you put in an empty box?

(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.)

Parents across Wake County often wonder how their teens can build a creative portfolio that stands out when applying to college.

The 16th Annual Wake County Teen Art Exhibition in Cary is designed to give student artists exactly that opportunity. The exhibition displays work from students across roughly 50 Wake County schools in a real, professionally curated gallery setting - the kind of experience students can list on a resume or college application. The exhibition runs May 6-27, 2026.

We help local events get seen by thousands of Cary residents before they happen.

If you have questions about advertising, email: [email protected]

A hantavirus outbreak aboard the expedition cruise ship MV Hondius has raised international concern after three passengers died and several others became ill while the vessel traveled across the Atlantic near Cape Verde. Health officials have confirmed at least two laboratory-confirmed cases and several additional suspected infections involving the Andes strain of hantavirus, one of the few known variants capable of spreading between people.

The outbreak unfolded rapidly. Patients developed fever, gastrointestinal illness, pneumonia and severe respiratory distress. One person was evacuated in critical condition, while others required urgent medical attention as the ship made its way toward the Canary Islands. The deaths include a Dutch couple and a German passenger.

Despite the alarming fatality rate associated with Andes hantavirus, epidemiologists say the virus remains unlikely to trigger a global pandemic. Experts point to a key limitation: hantavirus spreads poorly between humans and typically requires prolonged close contact. Unlike viruses such as COVID-19 or influenza, hantavirus does not appear to spread efficiently before symptoms begin.

Researchers say pandemic risk depends less on how deadly a virus is and more on how easily it moves between people before severe illness develops. Patients infected with hantavirus usually become seriously ill quickly after symptoms appear, limiting their mobility and reducing opportunities for widespread transmission.

The outbreak aboard the MV Hondius is being viewed as a real-world test of those constraints. More than 150 passengers and crew spent weeks together in close quarters, conditions that would normally favor rapid transmission if the virus spread easily through the air. Instead, only a small number of cases emerged, reinforcing existing evidence that person-to-person transmission of Andes hantavirus remains rare and inefficient.

Experts note that viruses capable of causing pandemics usually spread through people who are asymptomatic or only mildly ill. Hantavirus behaves differently. Most patients become severely sick soon after symptoms appear, often requiring hospitalization within days.

Health officials in Spain, the Netherlands and Australia coordinated a large-scale evacuation and quarantine effort as the ship approached the Canary Islands. Nearly 100 passengers and crew members have now been repatriated after more than a month at sea.

Several passengers and crew remain under observation, including one Spanish patient who tested positive without symptoms and an American passenger whose test results remain under review. A second American passenger reportedly developed mild symptoms.

Experts say the outbreak deserves close monitoring because viruses can evolve over time. However, they caution that hantavirus would need major biological changes to become a true pandemic threat.

Scientists say the virus is still primarily adapted to rodents, its natural host, and lacks the efficient respiratory transmission needed for sustained global spread among humans. Public health agencies continue to urge calm, emphasizing that the general public faces little immediate risk.

The hantavirus outbreak is a reminder that not every dangerous virus becomes a widespread public threat. Experts say the best protection remains the same: stay informed through reliable health sources, practice good hygiene, and avoid panic driven by social media speculation.

For travelers and everyday consumers alike, early attention to symptoms, proper sanitation and following public health guidance remain the most effective ways to reduce risk.

Today’s wellness story is brought to you by Dr. Estelle Tsalik

Estelle Tsalik is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Certified Nutrition Coach, and Wellness Consultant based in Cary, NC. As the founder of Living Well with Estelle, she specializes in helping busy midlife women simplify their supplement routines, support their changing bodies, and reclaim their energy through science-backed, practical wellness strategies.

A mother of three, Estelle brings both clinical expertise and real-life perspective to the conversation around midlife health — cutting through the noise so women can stop guessing and start feeling like themselves again.

Her approach is straightforward: no overwhelm, no one-size-fits-all prescriptions — just clear, personalized guidance that fits your life where it is right now.

Work with Estelle or explore her resources at linkmate.one/EstelleTsalik

Just curious…

Federal agencies and food companies issued several notable recalls and safety alerts over the past week involving products sold across the United States.

Many of the recalls are tied to possible salmonella contamination, including Zapp’s and Dirty potato chips, certain frozen pizzas sold at Aldi and Walmart, Ghirardelli beverage mixes and Stoltzfus Family Dairy cheese curds.

The FDA also flagged specific batches of a2 Platinum Premium USA infant formula because of cereulide toxin, which can cause vomiting and food poisoning symptoms in infants.

One of the most serious alerts involves Ma Cohen’s Kippered Herring, which may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium that can produce a potentially fatal toxin.

Consumers should not eat affected products. They should discard them or return them for a refund.

What’s faster than word of mouth? Cary Spotlight! Keeps you updated on what is going on locally and connects businesses to our vibrant community.

Outdoor events may be changed due to weather, so click the links to see latest event information. Here are a few ideas for the week, so plan ahead:

• Wednesday: TEEN Turntable Takeover: DJ 101 6:30PM-8:30PM
• Wednesday: Tai Chi: Downtown Cary Park 6:30PM-7:30PM
• Thursday: Town Council Quarterly Meeting 1PM-6PM
• Thursday: Zumba 6PM-7PM
• Friday: Cary Night Market 5PM-9PM
• Saturday: Cary Farmers Market 8AM-12PM
• Saturday: Good Hope Farm Volunteer Workday 9AM-11AM
• Saturday: Wheels on Academy 10AM-2PM
• Saturday: NC Courage vs Chicago Stars 6:30PM

But wait! There’s more. To save space in your inbox, we’ve moved the full list of events online — now you can plan ahead: See Full 2-Week Calendar