90-Second Read: 'By all means, go travel': Public health agencies say Hantavirus spread is little cause for concern

Health professionals are addressing public concerns and providing guidance after more than a dozen American passengers exposed to the Hantavirus returned home. Public health officials across the Carolinas are addressing concerns about the spread of Hantavirus after it was confirmed that one person believed to be exposed to the disease lives in North Carolina. The issue is prompting questions and concerns about spread across the Southeast region, but public health officials said there is "little cause for concern." The Andes virus is rare and only spreads through long-term, close-quartered contact. The passenger remains at the National Quarantine Unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, where they are being monitored and assessed over the course of 42 days in case of exposure to Andes virus, the only strain of Hantavirus.

By all means, go travel." The South Carolina Department of Public Health is not planning to take any precautions as of Tuesday, a media spokesperson told WYFF News 4. South Carolina has not had any cases of Hantavirus since the state began collecting data about Hantavirus in 2000. DPH has a team of public health experts available 24/7 that will work with our public health partners across the state to respond if needed." North Carolina health officials said the last case of Hantavirus was reported in 1995. The department added the following statement: "DPH is closely following the situation surrounding Hantavirus associated with MV Hondius cruise ship. The Andes strain of Hantavirus does not exist naturally in the United States.

Albrecht said there has been little guidance from federal partners on the issue, and added the state has a notification alert system to inform physicians, doctors and other healthcare professionals of exposure risks. Thus, risk of contracting Hantavirus to the general public remains very low. An associate professor and director for public health modeling and response, Lior Rennert, told WYFF News 4 this outbreak shows how environmental factors and emergent animal contact points are impacting human health. Both Rennert and Albrecht said this is a time when they would like to see the support, and not the "breakdown", of public health infrastructure. Health officials could not confirm whether the person from North Carolina has tested for the disease, is experiencing symptoms, or if there are plans in place to return.

Hantavirus is an immediately reportable disease in South Carolina. As with all reportable conditions, DPH communicable disease epidemiology staff have existing investigation guidance and outbreak protocols for Hantavirus. Helmut Albrecht, an infectious disease specialist at Prisma Health, called the result description "strange." "Preliminary tests may have shown equivocal results, but there's no 'mildly positive,'" Albrecht said. Albrecht compared the effective communication of healthcare agencies during the Ebola virus outbreak. There's significant dismantling of public health infrastructure, starting with the CDC.