90-Second Read: 3 King County residents being monitored for Hantavirus

Three King County residents may have been exposed to the Hantavirus that has killed and sickened passengers aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship. These are measures that have contained the spread in previous outbreaks of Hantavirus. None of the three King County residents have tested positive for the Hantavirus or showed signs of illness so far, according to health officials. Valenciano, acting director of Public Health, Seattle & King County, said in a statement.

They are being monitored along with 15 other Americans at the national quarantine center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. The other two King County residents were potentially exposed to the virus on a flight from South Africa to Amsterdam when they sat "within two seats" of a passenger from the cruise ship who had become ill, Valenciano said. Most types of Hantavirus, including those found in Washington state and the United States, don't spread from person to person. During a media briefing Tuesday, Valenciano told reporters she didn't know when this person would be allowed to return to King County.

Another two exposed King County residents have returned home and are isolating. Public health officials say that the risk to the public remains low. Valenciano acknowledged that the current news about Hantavirus is "scary," and "may bring back memories" from the Covid-19 pandemic. The Andes type of Hantavirus that spread on MV Hondius, however, can be spread between people through close contact.

They remain asymptomatic and are monitoring for symptoms at home in coordination with the health department. The residents have been "very cooperative," Valenciano said, and are limiting any non-essential activities outside of their home. If they must go out, health officials have instructed them to wear a well-fitting respirator or mask.