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Colorado Hantavirus Death Not Cruise Ship Linked
19 May
Summary
- Colorado confirms adult hantavirus death, Sin Nombre strain.
- Case is not connected to recent cruise ship Andes hantavirus outbreak.
- Human-to-human spread concern for Andes strain, not Sin Nombre.
An adult resident of Douglas County, Colorado, has died from a hantavirus infection, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reported on Monday. The deceased individual contracted the Sin Nombre strain, which typically appears in the spring and is generally transmitted through contact with infected rodents. Health officials are actively investigating the specific circumstances of the exposure.
This particular case is not associated with a recent outbreak of the Andes hantavirus strain aboard the MV Hondius cruise liner. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed on Friday that there are no U.S. cases linked to the cruise ship's Andes hantavirus cluster. The Andes strain carries the potential for human-to-human transmission, a concern that did not apply to the Colorado death. On the cruise ship, the Andes strain resulted in three deaths among eight confirmed and two probable cases.
As of the current date, the CDC has repatriated 18 American passengers from the cruise, including one with a mild case. These individuals are undergoing a 42-day monitoring period at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Seven other passengers who returned earlier are also under home monitoring by their respective health departments. The investigation into the Colorado resident's exposure is ongoing, with a focus on potential rodent contact.
