Source: Fox News
Summary
Two Maryland residents are being monitored for potential hantavirus exposure after being on a flight with a passenger from the MV Hondius cruise ship who was infected with the virus. The residents were not on the cruise ship but were on a flight abroad with the infected passenger. The risk to the public in Maryland is considered “very low.” The residents are being monitored during the virus’s incubation period, which can range from four to 42 days. No hantavirus cases have been reported in Maryland since 2019.
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The advice sounds familiar. Hantavirus concerns have been raised in the past, with shifting guidelines on transmission and precautions. The Andes virus strain, capable of person-to-person transmission, has been identified in a cruise ship outbreak. Health authorities are taking steps out of caution, but the risk to the public remains low. The situation continues to evolve, with coordination between federal and international partners.
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a rare infectious disease with a nearly 40% fatality rate. Early symptoms can be mistaken for the flu, but the disease can quickly progress to life-threatening lung and heart problems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that hantaviruses found in the United States are not known to spread between people.
The situation has raised concerns over human-to-human transmission, with some experts warning that fear is spreading faster than facts. The Maryland Department of Health is monitoring the situation closely, but the risk to the public remains low.
Author: Evan Null
