Ontario County health officials are investigating a suspected locally acquired case of hantavirus, though authorities stressed Thursday there is no connection to the cruise ship outbreak currently making national headlines and no risk to the general public.
In a statement released Thursday, Ontario County Public Health said the suspected case is under investigation in Hopewell. Officials emphasized that human hantavirus infections remain extremely rare in New York state, with only a handful of reported cases since reporting became mandatory in 1995.
Health officials said hantavirus in the United States is typically spread through exposure to infected rodent droppings, urine or saliva, particularly when particles become airborne during activities such as sweeping, vacuuming or cleaning enclosed spaces like sheds, attics and cabins. Symptoms can range from mild to severe.
Officials also sought to clarify growing public concern surrounding recent media coverage tied to a separate hantavirus outbreak linked to a cruise ship. According to the county, the strain associated with that outbreak — known as the Andes virus — is found in rodents in Argentina and Chile and is the only known hantavirus strain capable of spreading person-to-person. Health officials said the strains found in the United States do not spread between humans.
The county encouraged residents to use protective measures while performing spring cleaning projects involving enclosed or dusty spaces where rodents may be present. Officials recommended wearing masks and gloves while cleaning and washing hands and clothing afterward.
“It is not the department’s usual practice to provide a press release in this scenario, but with the current cruise ship outbreak, the influence of social media, and perceived public anxiety, I feel it is prudent to address the current investigation and reassure the community,” Public Health Director Kate Ott said in the release.
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