90-Second Read: Albany doctor breaks down Hantavirus concerns after cruise ship exposure

Health officials are keeping a close watch on a small group of people for possible Hantavirus exposure connected to a cruise ship, but an Albany doctor said he does not believe residents in Southwest Georgia need to take extraordinary precautions right now. James Edward Black, a medical director at Phoebe in Albany, said Hantavirus is not new, but cases in the United States are typically sporadic and relatively rare. Hantavirus is a disease that's been around for quite some time, but we see sporadic cases that pop up.

Black said the current concern stems from an outbreak investigation involving a cruise ship. While Hantavirus is most commonly linked to rodents, Black said person-to-person transmission is possible in certain circumstances, though he described it as less contagious than viruses like COVID-19. Black said symptoms can take time to appear, and people who are considered at risk may be monitored for up to six weeks after their initial exposure.

Black also addressed concerns after reports that someone tested positive in Georgia. For Albany and the rest of Southwest Georgia, Black said the best approach is basic prevention, especially for anyone cleaning garages, sheds or other areas where rodents may have been present. WALB's Ashanti Drake will have coverage specific to this story this evening.