Three New Yorkers from Westchester, Orange County and New York City, are quarantining in Nebraska after disembarking the MV Hondius, the ship at the center of an international Hantavirus outbreak.
Dr. Sherlita Amler, Westchester Commissioner of Health, gave an update to locals on the situation at a news conference held Monday, May 11.
“All three [passengers] are expected to be subject to a 42-day monitoring period,” Amler said. “We remain in close contact with New York State Department of Health regarding this evolving situation.”
Where are the New York residents quarantining?
The three MV Hondius passengers from downstate New York arrived at the Offutt Airforce Base in Nebraska Monday. According to USA TODAY, they are quarantining at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.
Joining them at the center in Omaha are 13 other passengers from the MV Hondius. Of those, three passengers are from Utah and two are from California. Sixteen passengers overall are being monitored in Omaha, including 15 U.S. residents and one British dual national.
In all, 18 passengers are either quarantining or in biocontainment at a variety of locations, according to reports from USA TODAY.
Those in quarantine are not showing symptoms, while those in biocontainment have either tested positive, started showing symptoms or were in close contact with someone who has, USA TODAY reported.
What causes Hantavirus?
According to the New York State Department of Health, hantavirus infections are caused by viruses typically carried by rodents.
In North America, infection can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal respiratory illness. There is no specific cure or vaccine, but early treatment can improve outcomes.
The CDC says person-to-person spread is rare, though it has been documented with certain strains, including the Andes virus.
Can New Yorkers catch Hantavirus?
The World Health Organization continues to say the risk to the general public is low.
No confirmed cases have been reported in New York or New Jersey. Health officials in New Jersey said two residents may have been exposed during international air travel but remain asymptomatic and under precautionary monitoring.
The last confirmed hantavirus case in New York occurred in 2017 in Franklin County, state health officials said.
Contributing: USA TODAY Network
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Westchester resident quarantined after deadly hantavirus cruise outbreak
Reporting by Ashley Catherine Fontones and Alexandra Rivera, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
