Suspected Hantavirus Case in Upstate New York Under Investigation
The Ontario County Public Health Department (OCPHD), located in Canandaigua, is looking into a “suspected” case of hantavirus infection in upstate New York. The department made this announcement recently, stating that they are currently investigating a “suspected case of locally acquired hantavirus.”
Officials clarified that there is no connection to a recent outbreak associated with a cruise ship, asserting that the general public is not at risk.
This investigation coincides with a rare hantavirus outbreak linked to the luxury cruise ship MV Hondius, which has affected several passengers and crew members, resulting in three fatalities.
As of mid-May, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported 11 confirmed hantavirus cases related to this outbreak: eight confirmed, two probable, and one unconfirmed. Additionally, three deaths have been attributed to this situation.
Experts emphasize that hantavirus infections are uncommon, and the overall risk for the public is low. Human-to-human transmission is considered extremely rare and is suspected only for specific strains, such as the Andean hantavirus linked to this cruise ship outbreak.
According to OCPHD, “Hantavirus infections are rare in New York.” The virus is primarily spread through the droppings of rodents, particularly when their urine, feces, or nesting materials become airborne during cleaning.
The department advised residents to take safety precautions when cleaning spaces where rodents might be present. This includes wearing gloves and masks while sanitizing areas like attics, sheds, and garages.
Officials from OCPHD and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have yet to respond to inquiries regarding this case.
In the Netherlands, 12 hospital employees were placed in quarantine after failing to adhere to stringent protocols while handling the blood and urine of hantavirus patients. Officials stated that while the risk to the staff remains low, this quarantine is merely a precaution.
The outbreak aboard the MV Hondius began after the ship, which had 147 passengers and crew, departed from Argentina on April 1 for a journey across the South Atlantic. Investigators believe that the initial infection may have resulted from contact with rodents during a birdwatching excursion before boarding the ship.
