90-Second Read: Bend doctor in isolation after possible Hantavirus exposure on cruise ship

Physicians await test results for the doctor in quarantine, as a local infectious disease specialist says overall Hantavirus risk remains low but urges caution. Kornfeld had been under quarantine after assisting passengers who became sick during the cruise, which has been linked to multiple Hantavirus cases. Hantavirus is most commonly linked to exposure to infected rodent droppings, particularly from mice and rats. Steven Kornfeld said he is not experiencing symptoms and is being closely monitored while doctors await confirmatory test results. Three cruise ship passengers have died, while six people with confirmed or suspected infections remain in quarantine, according to the World Health Organization.

Given our history over the last six years or so, I could not escape the sense, 'Here's an outbreak starting on a cruise ship, what's going on?'" said Bill Messer. Messer, who teaches students about Hantavirus at OHSU, said the risk of a global pandemic appears low. Officials with Multnomah County Vector Control say cases remain rare locally, with only one reported case in the past decade, and that patient survived. Example video title will go here for this video Example video title will go here for this video PORTLAND, Ore. I'm not ill, but the term I hear a lot is 'abundance of caution.' I'm here to be monitored closely, and this is a very secure facility.

We need to watch and not be dismissive of symptoms or the risk to people sitting close to people on airplanes, things like that, because we really just don't know. Messer added the virus involved appears to be the Andes virus, that appeared in South America in the mid-1990s and known for possible person-to-person transmission. If there are windows on the shed, we open them up and let that breeze go through for at least 20 minutes, longer, if possible. Health officials say these steps can help reduce the risk of exposure and slow the spread of the virus. Still, experts, like Multnomah County Vector Control and Code Enforcement Supervisor Levi Zahn, emphasize prevention.

So if I am to get sick and spill virus, there's no way that virus is getting out of this building. However, he cautioned that key questions remain, particularly about potential transmission during travel. Zahn described common mistakes, saying some are "thinking, 'This will never happen to me' and diving headfirst into these really dusty, dirty areas." Zahn added people should take precautions when entering enclosed spaces, like garages or sheds, where deer mice may be present. He also recommends wearing protective clothing, including a mask and eye protection, when cleaning rodent-infested areas. Using a vacuum or broom should be avoided, as it can send the virus airborne.