Fourth King County resident potentially exposed to hantavirus

Key Points:

• A fourth King County resident is under monitoring for Andes hantavirus linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship but is considered low risk and currently asymptomatic; this individual was on a flight with an ill passenger removed before takeoff.
• Previously, three other King County residents were potentially exposed—two seated near the ill passenger on the flight and one who was a passenger on the cruise ship; all are asymptomatic and being monitored.
• Public Health officials emphasize that no cases or symptoms of hantavirus exist in King County, and the risk of spread remains low due to effective contact tracing and monitoring.
• Andes virus is unique among hantaviruses for rare person-to-person transmission, requiring prolonged close contact, and hantavirus infections can lead to severe illness with a high fatality rate.
• The outbreak has resulted in 11 cases and three deaths, including two Dutch passengers believed to have been exposed in South America; there is no cure, but early detection and treatment can improve survival.