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LA health officials monitoring potential hantavirus reports tied to cruise ship outbreak
L.A. County Department of Public Health officials are closely monitoring potential reports of hantavirus after three infected people died on a cruise headed to Spain.
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Joao Luiz Bulcao, Hans Lucas
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Getty Images
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Topline:
L.A. County Public Health officials said Friday they are closely monitoring potential reports of the hantavirus, and that there isn’t an increased risk to residents.
Why now? A cruise ship headed to Spain captured headlines this week after three people died from the virus. World Health Organization officials reported that as of Monday, seven cases have been identified, including the three deaths. Two travelers infected with the virus, and one more suspected of being infected, were evacuated from the cruise ship for treatment.
What is the hantavirus? The hantavirus is an illness typically carried by rodents, such as rats. People can contract the virus through breathing in or having direct contact with rodent poop. In rare cases, the virus can also be contracted through a bite. Symptoms start flu-like and can show up one to eight weeks after infection.
What does this mean for LA County? The L.A. County Department of Public Health said in a statement that it is closely monitoring the situation: “At this time, Public Health has not been notified that any of the passengers that disembarked the cruise traveled to Los Angeles County. There is no indication of increased risk to people in Los Angeles County."
Is there any treatment? There is no licensed treatment or vaccine, according to the World Health Organization. Patients are monitored for lung, heart and kidney complications and treated as necessary. The earlier that the infection is caught, the better the chance of recovery.
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