Luxury cruise line Oceanwide Expeditions is continuing to monitor what it calls an “ongoing medical situation” on board its ship as it heads to the Canary Islands.Health officials said a hantavirus outbreak was linked to passengers.“We don’t think it started on a cruise ship,” Brevard-based Health First Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tim Laird said. “We think it started in Argentina, where the cruise ship stopped. We’ve always known that cruise ships — with close contact among people — allow viruses to spread.”The World Health Organization said the risk to the general public is low.“There have only been three cases of this disease in Florida since the U.S. started tracking it in 1993,” Laird said. “So, this really isn’t something that occurs in Florida very often at all.”Laird said these infections typically happen after exposure to rodent droppings, urine or saliva.“There was a case years ago in Yosemite where people were camping in insulated tents where there was rodent activity, and it was kind of enclosed,” Laird said. “We think the aerosol from rodent feces and urine is how people get exposed.”>> Video below: Orlando Health doctor discusses hantavirusThe symptoms are similar to the flu: high fever, severe muscle aches, headaches and stomach pain.“I think it’s something we should reassure the public about,” Laird said. “Unless you’ve been exposed to somebody with a confirmed case or you’ve been in very close contact with rodents in the Southwestern United States, I don’t think there’s a big risk around here.”So far, there have been no cases linked to Florida residents. We reached out to the Canaveral Port Authority about the virus.”We are aware of reports regarding cases of Hantavirus associated with a recent voyage on a non-member cruise line. Our thoughts are with those affected. CLIA-member cruise lines are required to adhere to comprehensive health, safety, and medical policies designed to detect, prevent, and mitigate illness. CLIA-member cruise lines have no known cases of hantavirus.” -Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) spokesperson.

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. —

Luxury cruise line Oceanwide Expeditions is continuing to monitor what it calls an “ongoing medical situation” on board its ship as it heads to the Canary Islands.

Health officials said a hantavirus outbreak was linked to passengers.

“We don’t think it started on a cruise ship,” Brevard-based Health First Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tim Laird said. “We think it started in Argentina, where the cruise ship stopped. We’ve always known that cruise ships — with close contact among people — allow viruses to spread.”

The World Health Organization said the risk to the general public is low.

“There have only been three cases of this disease in Florida since the U.S. started tracking it in 1993,” Laird said. “So, this really isn’t something that occurs in Florida very often at all.”

Laird said these infections typically happen after exposure to rodent droppings, urine or saliva.

“There was a case years ago in Yosemite where people were camping in insulated tents where there was rodent activity, and it was kind of enclosed,” Laird said. “We think the aerosol from rodent feces and urine is how people get exposed.”

>> Video below: Orlando Health doctor discusses hantavirus

The symptoms are similar to the flu: high fever, severe muscle aches, headaches and stomach pain.

“I think it’s something we should reassure the public about,” Laird said. “Unless you’ve been exposed to somebody with a confirmed case or you’ve been in very close contact with rodents in the Southwestern United States, I don’t think there’s a big risk around here.”

So far, there have been no cases linked to Florida residents. We reached out to the Canaveral Port Authority about the virus.

“We are aware of reports regarding cases of Hantavirus associated with a recent voyage on a non-member cruise line. Our thoughts are with those affected. CLIA-member cruise lines are required to adhere to comprehensive health, safety, and medical policies designed to detect, prevent, and mitigate illness. CLIA-member cruise lines have no known cases of hantavirus.” -Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) spokesperson.