90-Second Read: No cases of Hantavirus in Volusia County, but officials are monitoring

Volusia County officials are preparing for the Hantavirus, but as of now there's nothing to worry about, county Emergency Management Director Clint Mecham said on May 11. Mecham spoke briefly about the Hantavirus during the Volusia County Elected Officials Roundtable meeting in Daytona Beach. As of May 13, there are no reported cases of Hantavirus in Florida. Three people died last month after a Hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius, a cruise ship traveling in the Atlantic Ocean.

Eight states are monitoring citizens who have either been exposed to or exhibiting symptoms of Hantavirus : Arizona, California, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, Texas and Virginia. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a Tuesday news conference that there may be more cases of Hantavirus than the initial count due to interactions between passengers before the first cases were confirmed. However, there have been cases reported in the state in the past. He held various roles there, including emergency management director, before coming to Volusia County.

The Florida Department of Health in Volusia County didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on May 13. Hantaviruses are a group of zoonotic viruses that naturally infect rodents, sometimes for long periods without apparent illness, and are occasionally transmitted to humans, according to the World Health Organization. While rare, Hantavirus may spread between people and can lead to severe respiratory illness and requires careful patient monitoring, support and response. The risk posed by Hantavirus to the wider public is low, according to the WHO.

Hantavirus is primarily distributed by rodents through exposure to their urine, droppings or saliva and less commonly through a scratch or bite, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There are no specific treatments or vaccines for Hantavirus infections; however, the WHO reports that early supportive care and immediate referral to a facility with a complete ICU can improve survival. So, because of the interaction while they were still in the ship, especially before they started taking some infectious prevention measures ⋯ we would expect more cases.