Foundation is monitoring hantavirus situation

The Immune Deficiency Foundation is monitoring the situation involving hantavirus infections among passengers of the MV Hondius. Given the information available at this time, the risk to people who are immunocompromised, including those with primary immunodeficiency (PI), is very low. Follow updates from the World Health Organization (WHO) and your state public health lab, if applicable, for detailed information.

Hantavirus is a rare infection that is usually spread by inhaling virus particles from rodent droppings or urine. The strain causing the current outbreak has also been shown to spread from person to person, but it is not as easily transmitted as COVID-19 or the flu. The largest prior outbreak involving the strain totalled 34 cases.

At this time, there are eight confirmed and two probable cases in all. Three people have died. Because the time between being exposed to the virus and showing symptoms can be as long as eight weeks, additional cases may be reported. However, WHO reports that all countries of origin have been responsive and are actively monitoring residents who returned or were evacuated from the ship.

In the U.S., nine people in six states, who either left the ship after the first death or were exposed to a confirmed case on an international flight, are being monitored by their state public health authorities. Those states are Arizona, California, Georgia, New Jersey, Texas, and Virginia.

In addition, 18 passengers were evacuated from the ship itself. Two evacuated passengers are at Emory University in Atlanta, Ga.; one has shown symptoms but has not tested positive for the virus. Sixteen passengers are at the University of Nebraska in Omaha, Neb.; one has tested positive for hantavirus but has no symptoms.