90-Second Read: 2 Maryland residents monitored for potential Hantavirus exposure, health officials say

Two Maryland residents are being monitored for potential Hantavirus exposure, according to the Maryland Department of Health. Health officials said the Maryland residents were on a flight that included a passenger from the M/V Hondius cruise ship who was infected with Hantavirus. Health officials say that exposure to the Hantavirus right now is unlikely because of how quickly patients were isolated.

Right now, the risk to the public in Maryland remains "very low," but health officials say they are taking precautionary steps. The health department said there have been no Hantavirus cases identified in Maryland since 2019. Andes virus, a rare type of Hantavirus tied to the cruise ship, has never been reported in Maryland.

According to the Maryland Health Department, most diseases stemming from Hantavirus are not known to spread between people. Health officials say the Andes virus is the only known Hantavirus capable of spreading from person-to-person. Health officials in Maryland are coordinating with all levels of government, as well as health experts and medical facilities.