California and two states monitoring residents after hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship
Health officials in Arizona and Georgia also remain alert for a possible spread of the virus, although they consider the risk to be low
California health authorities, along with Arizona and Georgia, are monitoring residents who traveled on the MV Hondius, a cruise or linked to a hantavirus outbreak. Despite concern, so far, none of those monitored have shown symptoms of infection.
On the ship, which is currently bound to the Canary Islands after medical evacuations, five confirmed cases of hantavirus, have been reported, including three deaths. More than 100 passengers still remain on the cruise ship under surveillance.
Health authorities alert, but calm
Robert Barsanti, from the California Department of Health, assured in a statement that the risk to public health is low. The Centers for Control and Disease Prevention (CDC) have also minimized the risk to the American public and recommended that passengers follow health guidelines.
Preventive measures are being carried out for some of the passengers who disembarked before knowledge of the outbreak, including recommended isolation in certain cases to ensure public health.
How the symptoms can be identified
Hantavirus symptoms usually start like a flu and can rapidly progress to a serious condition. Identifying them early is key to seeking immediate medical care.
Monitoring protocols
Health authorities follow standardized protocols to monitor people exposed to risks such as biological, chemical or infectious agents, focusing in active or passive surveillance according to the risk level. These include daily or periodic contact to evaluate symptoms, diagnostic tests and preventive measures.
It applies to high risk exposures, such as close contacts with infections.
For low risk exposures, people self-monitor.
Specific biological and physical examinations are carried out.
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