US Quarantine: Hantavirus Risk Declared Very Low as Passengers Monitored
US Quarantine: Hantavirus Risk Declared Very Low as Passengers Monitored
Health officials say hantavirus risk to the public remains very low as 18 Americans evacuated from the MV Hondius are monitored in Atlanta and Nebraska's national quarantine unit.
Eighteen Americans evacuated from the MV Hondius are under close watch as health officials confirm one positive test for the Andes virus and emphasize that the risk to the public remains very, very low. Experts note that the Andes strain is uncommon and not easily spread between people, except in prolonged close contact with someone who is symptomatic.
Two individuals are being monitored in Atlanta, while 16 others are housed at Nebraska's national quarantine unit. To free up space, some passengers were flown to Atlanta; authorities stress those moved are in good shape and cooperating with authorities.
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen joined health officials in Omaha to stress that no one posing a risk will be walking the streets, echoing the official line that the public should not overreact. "The risk to the general public remains very, very low," said a senior official, underscoring the careful, precautionary approach.
Admiral Brian Christine of HHS underscored the critical point: the hantavirus risk to the general public remains very, very low, and the Andes variant does not spread easily, requiring prolonged exposure to someone who is symptomatic. Officials say most hantavirus strains do not pass from person to person.
With more than 90 passengers repatriated from the Canary Islands, authorities continue to monitor travelers and coordinate with airlines to ensure proper isolation and medical checks as a precaution. Health officials stressed that monitoring and containment are ongoing as the situation unfolds.
