90-Second Read: Hantavirus tracing

But public health officials want to make sure the outbreak is contained. Here's how authorities are using the practice of contact tracing to contain the outbreak and keep the Hantavirus from spreading. Authorities are hoping for similar success with this Hantavirus outbreak. An international team of disease detectives is now racing to connect with the more than two dozen passengers who disembarked the MV Honius cruise ship on the Atlantic island of St. The concept of modern contact tracing dates to the 1930s and was part of an effort to stop the spread of syphilis.

It starts by pinpointing someone with an infection or suspected infection of the disease in question — in this case, Hantavirus. One challenge that Hantavirus presents is that its incubation period can last up to several weeks. Fortunately, the flight attendant ultimately tested negative for Hantavirus. The most important stories for you to know today Where they're looking: These individuals have flown across the world, including to the United States. Epidemiologists then look to see with whom they've recently had close contact since these individuals are more likely to have been infected.

Why it matters: The risk of further spread of this virus is low since it requires close and prolonged contact with an infected individual — and those infected seem to transmit the virus for only a brief period of time. The risk of further spread of this virus is low since it requires close and prolonged contact with an infected individual — and those infected seem to transmit the virus for only a brief period of time. So you have to stratify by high, intermediate and low-risk contacts." The next step involves public health agencies ordering precautions for those who are infected or who may be infected but aren't showing symptoms yet. Public health officials argue that contact tracing is a powerful approach that will reduce further spread. It involves.

Contact tracing was vital during the fight against COVID-19 and helped end the Ebola crisis in Liberia, containing the epidemic there more than a decade ago. Why now: The UC system says Canvas won't be restored until it's confirmed secure. Otherwise, it becomes an impossible web to contain because everyone is connected to everyone," says Boghuma Titanji, an infectious diseases doctor at Emory University. Such measures may include quarantine, so that an individual doesn't come into contact with even more people — who may then become infected. Some of the contact tracing even involved hours-long hikes through the jungle to a remote village.