We now know how many people the CDC is monitoring for Hantavirus

American centers To combat and prevent diseases Watching 41 people in the United States for Andean hantavirus A rare outbreak has hit a cruise ship, but the risk to the public remains low, according to health officials.

This includes a group of 18 passengers from Cruise ship Who are now in quarantine facilities in Nebraska and Georgia. The agency is also monitoring passengers who returned home before the outbreak was identified and others who were exposed during travel, specifically on flights where a symptomatic case developed.

“Most people under monitoring are considered high-risk, and the CDC recommends that everyone under monitoring stay home and avoid being around people during the 42-day monitoring period,” David Vitter, incident director for the Hantavirus response at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told reporters during a press conference on Thursday. “We stress against traveling through all these groups.”

Andes virus is a strain of Hantavirus found in South America that can be transmitted from person to person. Usually, Hantavirus is transmitted to humans when they come into contact with rodent droppings or urine. The disease, a respiratory virus, can cause difficulty breathing and has a mortality rate of about 35 percent. As of Thursday, the World Health Organization had confirmed 11 cases of Andean virus infection among MV bus passengers Hondius Cruise ship, including three dead.

A Department of Health and Human Services official confirmed to WIRED that all Americans were on board Hondius At no point during her trip have they now returned to the United States.

The CDC has Legal authority To issue federal quarantine and isolation orders to prevent the spread of certain infectious diseases within or within the United States. Vitter said Thursday that the CDC is not using that authority to manage all 41 individuals who may have been exposed to the hantavirus.

“Our approach is risk- and evidence-based,” he added. “We are working closely with passengers and public health partners to ensure monitoring and rapid access to care if symptoms develop. Our goal is to work with and alongside them, and build plans based on their specific situations to protect the health and safety of passengers and American communities.”

Individuals will be monitored for 42 days, which is as long as it can take Symptoms of Hanta virus To appear after exposure. Symptoms begin flu-like, with fever, muscle aches and fatigue, then quickly progress to severe respiratory distress.