The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Thursday that 41 people in the United States are currently under monitoring for possible exposure to Hantavirus.
According to officials, most of those being monitored have been instructed to remain at home and avoid contact with others during a 42-day observation period.
“Those 41 individuals come from three primary groups,” said Dr. David Fitter, CDC incident manager.
“First, passengers who were recently repatriated and are now located in Nebraska and Emory. Second, passengers who had already left the ship and returned home before the outbreak was identified. And third, individuals who may have been exposed during travel, specifically on flights where a symptomatic case was present,” he added.
Hantavirus is a rare but potentially serious disease transmitted primarily through contact with infected rodents or their droppings.
Health authorities have not yet released additional details regarding the source of the outbreak or the condition of the monitored individuals.
