Three Kansans possibly exposed to hantavirus under observation at KU Hospital
KCTV • • health
Key Points:
- The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is monitoring three individuals who may have been exposed to Andes hantavirus and are currently under observation at the University of Kansas Hospital.
- Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health revealed the three individuals had contact with someone from the MV Hondius cruise ship, while other counties like Wyandotte, Johnson, and Shawnee are either deferring to KDHE or not monitoring the virus.
- Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services reports no current cases or exposures but is enhancing surveillance and response efforts due to increased cases in Argentina and the upcoming World Cup.
- The CDC is actively monitoring potential exposures among cruise ship passengers but is withholding specific numbers to protect privacy; monitoring typically lasts about six weeks.
- Dr. David Fritter of the CDC emphasized that Andes hantavirus is a known virus with established response protocols, differentiating it from novel viruses like COVID-19.