Kansas and Missouri Hantavirus Update
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), along with Kansas and other states, is keeping an eye on the Andes hantavirus. According to Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services, there are currently no reported cases or monitored exposures in the state.
What’s Happening in Kansas
On Tuesday, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announced it is monitoring three individuals who may have been exposed to the hantavirus. These individuals have been transported to the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City for observation.
“If any of the individuals test positive for the Andes hantavirus, the public will be informed, and more details will be shared,” KDHE stated on Wednesday afternoon.
KCTV5 reached out to various counties in Kansas to check if they were monitoring the hantavirus situation. Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health indicated that these individuals had contact with someone from the MV Hondius cruise ship during an international flight—information not previously disclosed by KDHE. However, they did not confirm if they are actively monitoring the hantavirus.
Both Wyandotte and Johnson counties referred inquiries back to the KDHE press release. Shawnee County, home to Topeka, stated they are not monitoring the virus at this time.
Missouri’s Status
As of Wednesday, Missouri has no cases or exposed individuals concerning hantavirus. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) acknowledged an increase in cases in Argentina over the past year but reiterated that the disease remains quite rare.
Missouri DHSS is stepping up their surveillance and response efforts regarding hantavirus following the cruise ship incident and ahead of the World Cup. This could involve case-based reporting, reviewing hospitalizations, and monitoring wastewater.
The department is partnering with local, state, and federal public health agencies to ensure they can promptly identify and manage any potential threats.
CDC’s Wednesday Update
The CDC provided an update on Wednesday regarding the situation of cruise ship passengers who have returned to the U.S. They did not specify how many individuals are being monitored or are showing symptoms, citing privacy concerns.
Dr. David Fritter, the incident manager for the CDC’s hantavirus response, mentioned that while this virus is known and manageable, it is not akin to COVID-19 in terms of response. He reassured that efforts are underway to ensure the safety and health of Americans during this period, noting that the monitoring process generally lasts around six weeks.
