Leer en espa\u00f1ol<\/a><\/p>\nAt least 12 countries and five states in the U.S. are reporting cases.<\/p>\n
The outbreak was first reported aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic after it departed Argentina last month.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not Covid,\u201d Infectious Disease Expert Dr. Aileen Marty said.<\/p>\n
Marty said the Andes virus does not spread easily because it has a long incubation period that can take weeks.<\/p>\n
But she stressed the virus is very deadly.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese viruses go to the cells that line capillaries in the lungs and they look normal but they act weird and they are leaky and they allow fluid from your blood to seep into the airways of your lungs and makes it almost impossible for people to breathe,\u201d Marty said.<\/p>\n
Marty said she is concerned about how prepared the U.S. is to respond if cases do spread.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we\u2019re not careful we may see secondary cases,\u201d Marty said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe United States doesn\u2019t have a healthcare system. The states have a healthcare system,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome states will be more strict, some may not. Some states have enough funding to do all the necessary contact tracing, some may not,\u201d Marty said.<\/p>\n
In the meantime, infectious disease specialist at Memorial Regional Hospital Dr. Kenneth Poon said this is a good time to practice the basics.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood handwashing and hygiene — there\u2019s no need for widespread masking or anything,\u201d Poon said.<\/p>\n
When asked about people rethinking their travel plans, Marty said, \u201cIf they\u2019re going to Argentina, they certainly should be rethinking their travel plans.\u201d<\/p>\n
\ud83c\udfe0 News From Your Neighborhood<\/p>\n
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