{"id":68,"date":"2026-05-13T18:11:15","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T18:11:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/northcarolinamovingjournal.com\/?p=68"},"modified":"2026-05-13T18:11:15","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T18:11:15","slug":"nc-health-officials-are-monitoring-the-hantavirus-outbreak-but-say-north-carolina-isnt-at-risk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/northcarolinamovingjournal.com\/?p=68","title":{"rendered":"NC health officials are monitoring the hantavirus outbreak, but say North Carolina isn\u2019t at risk"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirm one person from North Carolina is among the passengers evacuated from the cruise ship at the center of a deadly hantavirus outbreak.<\/p>\n

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That passenger, along with 15 other Americans, was transferred to the University of Nebraska Medical Center\u2019s National Quarantine Unit for monitoring. No further details are being shared about the individual to protect their privacy. Symptoms of hantavirus can develop between four to 42 days after being exposed.<\/p>\n

On a call with reporters Tuesday, state health officials said they\u2019re monitoring the situation, but added there\u2019s no reason for people in North Carolina to worry about an increased risk of contracting the virus.<\/p>\n

North Carolina Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Carl Williams says the risk of infection in North Carolina remains extremely low.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve only had one case identified in North Carolina and that was in 1995. In the Southeast, it\u2019s an extremely rare disease,\u201d Williams told reporters Tuesday.<\/p>\n

Hantavirus is spread through prolonged close contact with rodents or rodent droppings, but the Andes rodent associated with this strain of the virus is not native to the Carolinas.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is something that is concerning if you live in Argentina or you travel there,\u201d Williams said. \u201cLikewise, if you travel to or visit the Four Corners region or parts of California where this disease is endemic, it could be a concern. It\u2019s really not something we suggest that people should worry about here in North Carolina.\u201d<\/p>\n

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While three deaths on the MV Hondius caused by the virus have garnered international attention in recent days, the state veterinarian reiterated this is not another global pandemic like COVID-19.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a virus that is not easily transmitted. So, this is not something that\u2019s going to become a pandemic,\u201d Williams said.<\/p>\n

He said for those traveling this summer or planning a cruise, there\u2019s no reason to cancel those plans.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe cruise ship industry has historically been associated with norovirus outbreaks, which is a gastrointestinal illness,\u201d Williams said. \u201cAlthough they\u2019ve made a lot of strides in reducing the number of outbreaks, it brings to mind \u2014 always wash your hands, before you eat, after you use the restroom. Basic cleanliness.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to officials with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, federal health authorities will decide when quarantined\u00a0 passengers will return to their home states.<\/p>\n

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