Admiral Brian Christine, a Trump-nominated assistant health secretary with a background in urology, is now leading the nation's response to a hantavirus outbreak. Christine, who specializes in penile implants, joined the Trump administration in November 2025 as Assistant Secretary for Health, serving under HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Hantavirus Outbreak Response
Earlier this week, Christine led a press conference on the handling of a hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship. The CDC is currently monitoring 41 people across 16 states who may have been exposed to the virus, which typically spreads through contact with rodent droppings. Of those, 18 individuals are quarantined in Omaha and Atlanta.
During the press conference, Christine stated that the risk of hantavirus to the American public is 'very, very low' and promised a response 'grounded in science' and 'grounded in transparency.' He also emphasized that HHS has taken the situation 'seriously from the very beginning.'
Controversial Background
Christine has drawn criticism for spreading far-right conspiracy theories and lacking relevant medical experience outside of urology. According to HHS, he earned his Doctor of Medicine from Emory University and completed his urology residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He has published peer-reviewed research and lectured extensively, but has never held positions in public health or infectious diseases.
On his podcast 'Common Sense,' Christine called the COVID-19 pandemic a government conspiracy used to rig the 2020 presidential election. In an October 2022 episode, he promoted the film '2000 Miles,' which contains debunked claims of election fraud. He also compared COVID-era vaccine mandates to Nazi Germany, stating, 'There are things that are similar that were going on in Germany that are going on in the United States right now.'
Christine further claimed that Americans were 'forced to take the vaccination' and that the COVID-19 vaccine 'ultimately was proved not to prevent the disease and not to prevent the spread.' However, mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna are credited with saving millions of lives, and myocarditis risk is extremely rare at about one in 125,000 cases.
In addition, Christine has supported Alabama's abortion ban without exceptions for rape or incest, arguing that abortion is an act of violence.
HHS defended Christine in a statement, saying he 'remains focused on executing President Trump and Secretary Kennedy’s agenda to Make America Healthy Again.'
