[4 min read]
In this article:
- The recent outbreak of hantavirus on a cruise ship has been causing significant concern about transmission and illness in local communities.
- Case numbers for the strains of hantavirus found in North America remain very low, and there is no indication of increased activity, person to person spread, or any connection to cruise ship travel.
- Providence Swedish is continuing to monitor the situation; at this point there are no recommendations for changes in daily activities or precautions for the public.
- A Providence Swedish infection control expert offers some additional information about the virus, how it's transmitted, and symptoms to look for if you suspect an exposure.
If you’ve been reading the headlines about the hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship with concern about another pandemic, authorities say that you can relax. While the virus can cause severe illness and even death — in the U.S., the Andes strain outbreak on the MV Honidus has now been linked to at least three deaths and 41 people being monitored for exposure to the virus — experts say a significant spread of the virus is unlikely.
While we are definitely not on the brink of a “28 Days Later” scenario, there are some things to know about the virus and what’s happening locally to prevent illness and protect public health. To learn more, we talked to Evan Sylvester, MPH, AL-CIP, CIC, WFR, MT(ASCP), Senior Director of Infection Prevention for Providence Swedish's North Division, about the virus, its spread and how public health officials are addressing the situation.
What is hantavirus and how common is it?
Hantavirus is an infectious disease spread mainly by rodents that can cause diseases like hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a deadly disease that affects the lungs, and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, a deadly disease that affects the kidneys.
Hantavirus infections are rare and are most often associated with exposure to infected rodents or contaminated dust, not casual contact. Person-to-person transmission is extremely uncommon and has only been documented with specific strains (such as the Andes virus variant).
How many types of the virus are there?
In Washington and Alaska, a different strain of hantavirus exists, and human infections are linked to exposure to rodent feces, urine and saliva. Case numbers for the strains of hantavirus found in North America remain very low, and there is no indication of increased activity, person to person spread, or any connection to cruise ship travel.
The Andes variant of hantavirus currently associated with the cruise ship MV Hondius is being tracked by public health officials to limit the spread. The current incubation period is 4 to 42 days after exposure to infected rodents or close contact with symptomatic infected people.
What are the symptoms of hantavirus?
Early signs and symptoms of the Andes virus include:
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Muscle aches, especially in large muscle groups like the thighs, hips, back, and sometimes shoulders
About half of all patients will also experience:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Chills
- Abdominal problems, like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain
What happens if someone may have been exposed?
Patients who present at a hospital with known exposure — which at this point would be epidemiological linkage to the cruise ship — and have symptoms should be placed in with a dedicated Airborne Infection Isolation Room (AIIR). Infection prevention specialists will collaborate with the Washington State Department of Health for testing. Patients will be screened for symptoms and reported risk factors, including at least one of the following, within the 42 days before symptoms onset:
Direct physical contact, or spent time in close or enclosed spaces, with a symptomatic person with confirmed or suspected Andes virus infection or with any objects contaminated by their body fluids.
Exposure to an infected person's saliva, respiratory secretions, or other body fluids (e.g., kissing, sharing utensils, handling contaminated bedding).
Experience of a breach in infection prevention and control precautions that resulted in potential contact with body fluids of a patient with suspected or confirmed Andes virus infection.
“At this point, risk to the general public remains extremely low, and there are no confirmed cases of hantavirus illness in King County at this time. All three patients in King County with known exposure currently remain asymptomatic,” says Sylvester. “Right now, there are no changes to daily activities or routine precautions are recommended for the public, but we will continue to monitor the situation and recommend changes as needed.”
Learn more and find a physiacin or advanced practice clinician (APC)
Whether you require an in-person visit or want to consult a doctor virtually, Providence Swedish is here for you. Contact Swedish Primary Care to schedule an appointment with a primary care provider. You can also connect virtually with your clinician to review your symptoms, provide instruction and follow up as needed. And with Swedish ExpressCare Virtual you can receive treatment in minutes for common conditions such as colds, flu, urinary tract infections, and more. You can use our provider directory to find a specialist or primary care physician near you.
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