The New York State Department of Health has confirmed that three residents of New York State were aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship, which is at the center of a deadly hantavirus outbreak. None of the passengers are from the upstate area. According to Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald, one passenger is from New York City. The others are from Orange County and Westchester County. The passengers arrived at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska on Monday. It’s unclear how long they will stay there, but McDonald said they will be subject to a 42-day monitoring period and that there is no danger to the public at this time. “At this point, it is important to emphasize that there is no immediate risk to the public,” McDonald said. “We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as needed.”Hantavirus is typically spread from contact with rodents in areas where the disease is present, especially when exposed to their urine, droppings, and saliva. The Andes virus is the only type of hantavirus that is known to spread person-to-person. According to the CDC, the spread is usually limited to people who have close contact with the ill person, either from direct physical contact or prolonged time spent in enclosed spaces. The CDC has insisted that the current risk to travelers and the general public is low. Officials said routine travel can continue as normal.Gov. Kathy Hochul addressed the exposure of the three residents from New York in a statement on social media. She said New York State is prepared in the event that more widespread infection occurs. “While there is no immediate threat to public health, I’ve activated some of New York’s best epidemiologists and researchers at the Wadsworth Laboratory to prepare us for any potential scenario,” Hochul wrote. “We remain in close coordination with federal health officials and will continue sharing updates as more details become available.”
ALBANY, N.Y. —
The New York State Department of Health has confirmed that three residents of New York State were aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship, which is at the center of a deadly hantavirus outbreak.
None of the passengers are from the upstate area. According to Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald, one passenger is from New York City. The others are from Orange County and Westchester County.
The passengers arrived at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska on Monday. It’s unclear how long they will stay there, but McDonald said they will be subject to a 42-day monitoring period and that there is no danger to the public at this time.
“At this point, it is important to emphasize that there is no immediate risk to the public,” McDonald said. “We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as needed.”
Hantavirus is typically spread from contact with rodents in areas where the disease is present, especially when exposed to their urine, droppings, and saliva. The Andes virus is the only type of hantavirus that is known to spread person-to-person.
According to the CDC, the spread is usually limited to people who have close contact with the ill person, either from direct physical contact or prolonged time spent in enclosed spaces.
The CDC has insisted that the current risk to travelers and the general public is low. Officials said routine travel can continue as normal.
Gov. Kathy Hochul addressed the exposure of the three residents from New York in a statement on social media. She said New York State is prepared in the event that more widespread infection occurs.
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“While there is no immediate threat to public health, I’ve activated some of New York’s best epidemiologists and researchers at the Wadsworth Laboratory to prepare us for any potential scenario,” Hochul wrote. “We remain in close coordination with federal health officials and will continue sharing updates as more details become available.”