90-Second Read: Washington health department investigating Hantavirus cases, links to cruise ship outbreak

According to the Washington State Department of Health, one investigation involves people who were potentially exposed to cases linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak. Portland Trail Blazers laying off 70 employees in organizational restructure While the health department investigates, officials said the risk of Hantavirus to the public remains "very low." According to DOH, Hantaviruses are a group of viruses that are carried by rodents. The Washington State Department of Health says it has tracked Hantavirus cases since 1994 and typically reports one to five Sin Nombre cases every year. Health officials in Washington are working with local and federal partners on investigations into Hantavirus infections found in the state.

WalletHub ranks cities in Oregon, Washington among most affordable for home buyers State health officials said about one of three people diagnosed with HPS have died, noting the risk of contracting any strain of Hantavirus is still very low. Last week, Seattle and King County officials announced they were monitoring three King County residents who were potentially exposed to the Andes strain of Hantavirus linked to the cruise ship outbreak. Officials said this case is not connected to the cruise ship outbreak, which was caused by a different strain of Hantavirus. Health officials said all three people are asymptomatic, adding that potentially exposed people are monitored for 42 days after their last exposure to a person infected with Andes virus.

The virus can lead to Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which is a rare but serious disease caused by exposure to infected rodents or their droppings, urine or saliva. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also notified the state health department of three additional Washington residents who were on the same international flight as two of the King County residents, noting they are considered to have low-risk exposures. On May 15, the Chelan-Douglas Health District reported Washington's first case this year of Sin Nombre virus. Washington murder suspect ID'd as victim's estranged husband Unlike the Andes virus, the Sin Nombre virus does not spread from person to person, health officials explained.

The state health department says the second investigation involves a Sin Nombre virus case in Chelan County. According to state health officials, Sin-Nombre virus-infected deer mice are found across Washington. In rare cases, the Andes virus can spread from person to person usually through prolonged, close contact with someone who is ill, DOH warns.