Ontario County Investigates Suspected Hantavirus Case
Hopewell, N.Y. — Ontario County is looking into a possible locally acquired hantavirus case, as announced by Kate Ott, the county’s public health director.
On Thursday morning, Ott indicated that state officials had notified her office about a patient in Ontario County experiencing mild symptoms for a few weeks. These included fatigue, body aches, and general lethargy.
Ott expressed her surprise, stating, “We thought surely this can’t be Hantavirus in relation to what’s going on in the media at this time.” She referred to the situation as having “horrible timing.”
“I can tell you that it’s mild,” she added. “The case is mild, and Hantavirus is not always mild. It can be really severe. So we’re really grateful for that.”
With a national conversation intensifying following a cruise ship outbreak of Andes Hantavirus, Ott aimed to reassure the public, clarifying that various strains exist and the current case isn’t related.
“The Hantavirus that occurs in the US is not spread person to person,” she explained. “So it is spread between mice and humans. If I have it and I sneeze on you, you’re not going to get it.”
This means the unnamed patient won’t need to quarantine. Notably, Ott mentioned that there has been just one other suspected case in the county over the past two decades.
“For hantavirus, you’re asking: ‘Have you been bitten by a rodent?'” Ott detailed. “Have you taken a cruise? Have you cleaned out a shed or an attic recently? Those are the questions we asked.”
While she couldn’t disclose the patient’s exact location in Ontario County for privacy reasons, she did share some preventive advice for the upcoming months.
“It’s really important for spring and summer to use some protection if you’re cleaning your shed, garage, or attic, especially if there’s a chance that rodent droppings could be present, as mice, bats, and birds can all transmit diseases. Wear a mask,” she advised.
A blood sample from the patient has been sent to the Centers for Disease Control for further examination, but it’s unclear when results will be available, as per Ontario County Public Health.
