90-Second Read: 4 Californians monitored for Hantavirus exposure

On May 8, CDPH announced one individual from California had returned to the state and is being monitored by local public health officials. Prior to response efforts related to this outbreak, the CDPH Viral and Rickettsial Disease Laboratory (VRDL) was the only public health laboratory in the U.S. with a validated diagnostic Hantavirus PCR assay to conduct testing for Hantavirus. CDPH is coordinating closely with hospitals who can care for potential Hantavirus cases and has issued clinical health advisories to clinicians to provide guidance for appropriate care.

Two of these individuals have returned to their respective homes and are being monitored by their local public health officials. This weekend, CDC notified CDPH of an additional contact now under active monitoring in California due to potential exposure with a confirmed case on a shared flight. Currently, public health monitoring protocol includes daily temperature checks, assessment for any symptoms consistent with Hantavirus and direction to modify activities.

The Andes Hantavirus identified in this cruise ship outbreak is found in the southern Andes region of Argentina and Chile. From 1980 to 2025, 99 California residents have been diagnosed with Sin Nombre Hantavirus infection. Decades of experience in South America have shown that this Andes Hantavirus rarely spreads between people.