90-Second Read: Hantavirus concerns grow as US officials monitor cases linked to cruise ship outbreak

Health officials work to reassure the public as concerns grow over a Hantavirus outbreak tied to a cruise ship. PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Health officials are working to reassure the public as concerns grow over a Hantavirus outbreak tied to a cruise ship, with additional monitoring underway in the United States. Two people in Maryland are now being monitored after taking an overseas flight with a passenger, who has tested positive for Hantavirus, from the affected cruise ship. Meanwhile, American passengers linked to the outbreak have returned to the United States for quarantine, with one testing positive and another showing symptoms. One is undergoing treatment and the other one is undergoing further evaluation and monitoring," said Dr.

One confirmed case is being treated in biocontainment, while 15 others are being monitored in the national quarantine unit. In New Jersey, health officials are also monitoring two people who were not on the cruise ship but may have been exposed during air travel. Let's compare that to 40 to 50,000 COVID-19 deaths, 45,000 flu deaths, so by comparison, Hantavirus, minor," said Dr. It's not novel, and we know what we need to do," said Dr. Two were transported to the specialized communicable diseases unit at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, where doctors are evaluating their condition.

Health experts stress that the situation is not comparable to the COVID-19 pandemic and say the risk to the general public remains low. No, it's not rampant yet, but surely people are expressing concern about cruise ships. They're expressing concerns about this disease spreading, and here's why, because this version of the virus, this Andes version of the virus, has person-to-person transmission abilities," Halkitis added. If it's a risk you're not willing to take, there's probably places you should not go, and maybe a cruise ship is one of those places. Anish Mehta, chief of infectious diseases at Emory University Hospital.

What I am seeing is an anxiety, a fear, a panic that we saw during COVID-19 amongst some people. Monday, federal officials also sought to reassure the public. Perry Halkitis, dean of the Rutgers School of Public Health. Still, the public health expert and epidemiologist said individuals should make personal decisions about travel and gathering. We have this under control and are not worried about it," said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F.