Kentucky health officials say the risk of hantavirus to residents in the Commonwealth remains low following reports tied to an international cruise ship investigation involving the M/V Hondius.
Clay Horton, spokesperson for the Kentucky Department for Public Health and director of the
Green River District Health Department, said there have been no identified close contacts in Kentucky connected to the recent incident, and officials continue monitoring the situation alongside federal and international health partners.
“At this time, there have been no identified close contacts in Kentucky related to the recent international hantavirus event associated with the M/V Hondius cruise ship, and the current risk to the general public in Kentucky is considered low,” Horton said.
Hantavirus is a rare but potentially serious disease primarily spread through exposure to infected rodents or contaminated dust from rodent urine or droppings. According to Horton, it is not transmitted in the same way as illnesses such as COVID-19, influenza, or measles.
The strain connected to the cruise ship investigation is the Andes virus strain found in South America. Horton said that strain can rarely spread person-to-person after prolonged close contact with someone who is ill.
Kentucky has seen very few cases over the years.
“There has only been one reported hantavirus case in Kentucky since 1995, and it was travel-related,” Horton said.
Health officials said the greatest risk for most residents would come from activities involving rodent exposure, particularly while cleaning enclosed areas such as barns, sheds, garages, storage buildings, or cabins where rodents may have nested.
Horton said prevention efforts should focus on rodent control and taking precautions when cleaning potentially contaminated areas.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says symptoms can initially resemble the flu and may include fever, fatigue, muscle aches, headaches, dizziness, chills, nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain. In severe cases, the illness can progress to coughing and shortness of breath as the lungs fill with fluid.
More information about hantavirus, including symptoms and prevention tips, is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Kentucky Department for Public Health said it has shared guidance with healthcare and public health partners across the state as officials continue monitoring developments related to the international investigation.
