The Utah Department of Health and Human Services is working to connect Utah residents exposed to the Andes hantavirus on the Modius cruise ship with medical care. Officials are also ensuring that these individuals isolate themselves from others if symptoms develop.
Three Utahns were included among 18 people transported from the cruise ship to the United States on Sunday, according to a Utah DHHS news release.
DHHS Commissioner Tracy Gruber stated that the risk to Utahns is low. Gruber noted that while the department understands concerns regarding the virus, they are taking their responsibility to protect public health seriously by coordinating with local health departments and the CDC.
The CDC is currently working with South American epidemiologists to understand the virus and prevent its spread. At this time, passengers are remaining isolated in medical facilities, which presents minimal risk to the public.
All U.S. passengers remaining on the ship will undergo observation at a federally-monitored facility and will only return to their home states once it is determined safe. Upon their return, officials expect daily monitoring for symptoms for at least six weeks, with isolation required if they become symptomatic.
Utah State Epidemiologist Dr. Leisha Nolen expressed concern for the individuals exposed on the ship but stated she does not have concerns about an infection spreading widely. Nolen noted that while more is being learned about how the Andes strain is transmitted, officials understand how to stop its spread.
Hantaviruses are typically spread through contact with the urine or droppings of wild rodents. However, the Andes strain involved in this outbreak can spread from person to person in limited circumstances.
This type of transmission usually requires close contact with a person who is actively sick and does not appear to spread through casual contact, such as being in the same room or shaking hands. There have been no documented cases of a person without symptoms spreading the virus to others.
