CONCORD, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) says they are monitoring potential exposure to Hantavirus after acknowledging two travelers from NH were reportedly on the cruise ship where the outbreak took place.
“DHHS is aware of two individuals with New Hampshire addresses who traveled on the MV Hondius cruise ship and have returned to the United States. The two individuals are not in New Hampshire at this time, and we are actively communicating with our federal partners to assess whether they will be returning to the state in order to coordinate appropriate monitoring to ensure their health and that of the public. There is no current health risk to residents, and we will provide additional information as it becomes available.”
About hantaviruses
Hantaviruses are usually spread through contact with wild rodent droppings, urine, and saliva. Hantaviruses are found in the Americas, including in the United States, although primarily in the Western U.S. On average, the United States identifies 30 people with hantavirus every year. The last case of hantavirus identified in a New Hampshire resident was in 2019 and thought to be acquired through travel.
According to DHHS, the specific hantavirus that caused the cruise ship outbreak is called the Andes virus, which is known to be able to spread from person to person in situations involving close, prolonged contact with a person who is sick with the disease. A person is not considered infectious and able to spread the virus to other people until they begin to develop symptoms.
Symptoms of Andes virus infection usually begin within 4-42 days after an exposure. Early symptoms can include fever, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, and gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Several days after the onset of initial symptoms, people can develop a severe illness that affects the lungs (called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome) causing cough, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing, which can be fatal. There is no specific treatment available, and care focuses on supporting the person through their illness.
The DHHS Division of Public Health (DPH) will continue to coordinate with regional and federal partners and make available any further information relevant to the health of the general public. Anyone with questions about this situation can contact DPH at 603-271-4496. To learn more about hantavirus, please visit the Hantavirus page on the DHHS website.