90-Second Read: Washington State investigates Hantavirus exposures linked to cruise, separate local case

Washington State health officials are investigating two Hantavirus cases: exposure on a cruise linked to Andes virus and a Chelan County case of Sin Nombre virus. Example video title will go here for this video Example video title will go here for this video WASHINGTON, The Washington State Department of Health (WSDOH) announced they are helping with two separate Hantavirus investigations involving separate strains. The Washington Department of Health noted the state typically reports one to five Sin Nombre Hantavirus cases each year.

Though, state officials clarify no cases of Andes virus have been reported among Washington residents. WSDOH reports six people in the state have been exposed to the Andes strain, which is the one connected to the cruise ship making international headlines. The first investigation, according to state health officials, involves two people from King County who were potentially exposed on an international flight by an ill cruise ship passenger who they were sitting near.

Then, the CDC notified the Department of Health that three more Washington state residents were on that same international flight and are considered low-risk exposures. The Chelan-Douglas Health District reported the state's first case of the Sin Nombre virus Hantavirus for this year. Reports say two of the people exposed live in Eastern Washington.