By admin 
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — A person from North Carolina is among the passengers evacuated from the cruise ship struck by a hantavirus outbreak, the state’s Department of Health and Human Services said Monday.
Read more Kids of all ages need regular recess for physical and mental health, pediatricians group finds
“The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed one person from North Carolina was on board and evacuated with all remaining United States passengers to the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s National Quarantine Unit,” NCDHHS said in a news release, adding that no further details about the person would be released to protect their privacy.
NCDHHS said there are no known cases of the rodent-borne disease in North Carolina, and the risk of hantavirus infection here “remains extremely low.”
“Our public health team is among the best in the country and remains ready to respond as the situation evolves,” said Dr. Kelly Kimple, the director of the NCDHHS’ Division of Public Health. “We are in constant communication with federal, state and local officials and are prepared to assist the individual and protect the health and well-being of all North Carolinians.”
This outbreak of hantavirus occurred on the M/V Hondius, a Dutch ship that was on a cross-Atlantic cruise that started in Ushuaia in Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego on April 1. Three people onboard the boat have since died, with others falling sick.
Read more ‘Taking that next step’: Paralyzed graduate defies odds and walks stage
All remaining U.S. passengers on board, including the North Carolina resident, were flown to Nebraska over the weekend to be assessed. The CDC and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services are working with state and international partners to stem the outbreak.
NOW PLAYING
“Decisions regarding when these passengers will return to their home states will be determined by federal health authorities,” the NCDHHS said. “Regardless of if they remain in Nebraska or return home, all passengers will be monitored for symptoms for 42 days after their last possible exposure. NCDHHS is communicating regularly with federal, state and local partners to ensure the health and safety of everyone in North Carolina.”
Humans can become infected with hantavirus after being exposed to urine, droppings and saliva of rodents like rats and mice. According to public health officials, the type of hantavirus on M/V Hondius, the Andes virus, is the only strain that spread from person to person after close, prolonged contact. This variant is “not known to occur naturally” in the U.S., health officials said. Hantavirus is exceptionally rare in North Carolina, where the only known case happened in 1995, according to NCDHHS.
Symptoms of hantavirus, which can include fatigue, deep muscle aches, fever and severe respiratory distress, may take up to 42 days to develop after exposure. Health professionals said there are currently no specific ways to treat hantavirus infection. Rest, hydration and treatment of symptoms are recommended to those who become infected.
Read more Another round of rain arriving Wednesday into Thursday in central NC