On Wednesday, two doctors from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that the hantavirus outbreak poses a low risk to the American public, emphasizing the agency’s comprehensive involvement in managing the situation.
During a media briefing, the CDC’s approach to handling the outbreak was outlined, amidst criticism from some infectious disease and public health experts who argue the agency has been less proactive compared to the World Health Organization and other entities.
“Hantavirus is a known pathogen,” stated David Fitter, the CDC’s incident manager for the hantavirus response. “Currently, the risk to the general public is low. Our main concern is the passengers on the ship and the American communities.”
Fitter explained that since the onset of the outbreak, the CDC has collaborated closely with state and public health officials, federal partners, and international health organizations from affected countries.
“We immediately activated our emergency response in Atlanta, and over 100 staff members are actively involved in the response. We have been engaged at every step operationally,” he said.
The CDC’s measures included informing American passengers aboard a ship traveling from Argentina to Antarctica about potential exposure and dispatching a team to the Canary Islands to speak with each U.S. citizen. Two team members returned with passengers to the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit and Emory University Hospital in Atlanta.
“Our response has adhered to our established protocols for rapid action across federal, state, and local public health. These systems and partnerships are designed for such situations,” Fitter noted. “While our work may not always be visible, it involves sharing information with state and local health departments, providing guidance, and monitoring. This work is deliberate, coordinated, and vital to community safety.”
In Nebraska, a CDC team is conducting health assessments of each passenger, evaluating their exposure to confirmed cases, monitoring temperatures, screening for symptoms, and assessing general wellness. Given the virus’s lengthy incubation period, monitoring is set for 42 days, starting Monday.
“Our team is working tirelessly to ensure the health and safety of all involved,” said Brendan Jackson, the CDC’s team lead in Nebraska and a medical epidemiologist.
The CDC is awaiting results from a passenger who tested mildly positive prior to arriving in Nebraska, with plans to retest on-site.
Other passengers who have not tested positive are being monitored at home. Due to privacy concerns, the doctors did not disclose their locations or numbers.
“We are implementing all necessary measures to ensure American communities remain safe and healthy. We aim to communicate these efforts effectively,” Fitter said. “We will continue to update the U.S. through our websites and other channels.”
