90-Second Read: Maryland health officials monitor two residents after possible Hantavirus exposure

BALTIMORE (WBFF), The Maryland Department of Health is monitoring two state residents following a potential exposure to Hantavirus linked to a passenger from the M/V Hondius cruise ship, officials said Monday. Officials emphasized that the monitoring is being conducted "out of an abundance of caution" and that the risk to the public in Maryland remains very low. Maryland has not reported any Hantavirus cases since 2019, and no cases of the Andes virus have ever been identified in the state. The Maryland residents were not aboard the cruise ship itself. Hantaviruses are a group of viruses typically carried by rodents and are known to occur in the United States.

ALSO READ | VOTE: Do you trust the government to handle the Hantavirus outbreak? The Maryland Department of Health said it is working closely with federal and international partners, as well as specialized treatment centers, to monitor the situation. More information about Hantavirus and the outbreak associated with the M/V Hondius cruise ship is available through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Even so, such transmission is considered rare and usually requires close, prolonged contact with an infected individual or their bodily fluids. The incubation period for the virus can range from four to 42 days.

According to health authorities, the two individuals were on an international flight that briefly included a passenger infected with the virus. The department didn't release additional details about the Maryland individuals, citing privacy protections. However, the strain associated with the M/V Hondius, known as the Andes virus and found primarily in South America, is the only Hantavirus known to transmit between people. Health officials noted that people who do not show symptoms are not considered contagious.

Officials described the situation as evolving and noted that guidance may change as more information becomes available.