Is Louisiana at Risk? Hantavirus Outbreak Sparks Concern
(KNGT-FM) - After the disaster that was the COVID-19 Pandemic, every little thing that comes into the world has people freaking out. A health scare on a cruise ship is now making headlines across the country, and many people here in Louisiana may be wondering if they should be worried. We've got what you should know about the new Hantavirus.
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What Is Hantavirus?
Hantavirus is a rare but serious illness. It can cause:
- Fever
- Tiredness
- Nausea
- Trouble breathing
Most of the time, people get hantavirus from contact with rodents, like rats or mice, or their droppings. The strain in this outbreak is rare and can spread between people, but that is not common.
A cruise ship called the MV Hondius has been dealing with a hantavirus outbreak. The ship was headed to Tenerife in Spain, where passengers were taken off and sent back to their home countries. There are about 150 people on board, including at least 17 Americans.
What Is Happening Right Now?
Eighteen passengers from the cruise ship are now back in the United States and are being watched by health workers. Sixteen of them are in Nebraska, and they are not showing any symptoms. Two others are in Atlanta at Emory University Hospital, and one of those people is sick.
Three passengers have died, and a few others have gotten sick. Experts say this virus is not like COVID-19 and is not expected to spread widely.
Should People in Louisiana Be Worried?
Right now, health experts say there is no immediate danger to the public, including here in Louisiana. According to a report from KPRC out of Texas, they did confirm with local officials that 2 of the folks who have been in contact with the virus are Houston Residents.
Health officials say the risk only happens with close contact with someone who is sick.
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