Two unidentified New Hampshire vacationers were among those evacuated Monday from a cruise ship hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak, authorities confirmed.
As a result, hospitals in the Granite State are closely monitoring the situation.
New Hampshire officials are working with the two passengers from their state and with federal health authorities to minimize any health risks, WCAX-TV reported.
The whereabouts of the two was not immediately publicized.
But Dartmouth Medical Center in Hanover, New Hampshire said it has been contacted by the Centers for Disease Control about the virus.
Experts say they do not think hantavirus will turn into a large-scale health care crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic but they remain on guard.
Doctors say the general public does not need to take added precautions at this time.
“I don’t think there have to be any specific changes in our day-to-day life, but I think it is great that we are all informed” Dr. Ed Merrens of Dartmouth Health told the TV outlet. “We lived through a period of time that changed everything in the fabric of our life and understanding of health care delivery and if anything, I think we are more prepared.”
While the hantavirus can be deadly, it’s very different from COVID in that spread usually only occurs when people show symptoms, and direct physical contact with someone who is infected.
The last remaining passengers on the MV Hondius disembarked Monday and boarded flights to more than 20 countries to enter quarantine, AP reported.
Passengers began flying home aboard military and government planes Sunday after the cruise ship anchored in the Canary Islands.
Personnel in full-body protective gear and breathing masks escorted the travelers from ship to shore in Tenerife, an effort that concluded Monday, AP said.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, told AP that citizens of the countries passengers are returning to should know “there is nothing to fear, the risk is low, this is not another COVID.”
Three cruise ship passengers have died, and six people with confirmed or suspected cases of hantavirus are being quarantined, according to the organization.
Health authorities say it’s the first-ever hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship.
While there is no cure or vaccine for hantavirus, early detection and treatment improves survival rates.
