Houston-based doctor says Hantavirus isn't very transmissible despite Hantavirus cruise outbreak

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Top health officials said they're not worried about the outbreak, which has so far killed three people.

A flight carrying U.S. citizens from the luxury cruise ship arrived early Monday morning.

Sixteen people were taken to a facility in Nebraska. Officials said one person has tested positive. Two others were taken to a hospital in Atlanta.

ABC News is reporting the number of likely cases of the Hantavirus is now confirmed at 11 worldwide, including one American.

Houston-based Doctor Peter Hotez, one of the prominent epidemiological voices during COVID, said it's believed a couple originally became infected on the southern coast of Argentina after exposure to rodent droppings or urine.

He said that after they became infected, the couple went on a cruise ship, and a few other people were infected as well.

"It wouldn't surprise me that this week, we see a couple more. I don't see many more cases beyond that, and here's why: the incubation period is a time frame. You're first exposed to the virus to the time you show symptoms can go up to six weeks," Dr. Hotez said.

Hotez said this outbreak has been ongoing since early April and added that in past outbreaks, the incubation period has been around three weeks.

Health experts said the Hantavirus isn't very transmissible from person to person, but it can occur, like we're currently seeing.

"It's not nearly as transmissible as COVID-19. We could get surprised. We don't have a lot of experience with Hantavirus, but it's not impossible that this becomes a bigger epidemic. The fact that it's been going on for six weeks and we have nine cases is a positive sign," Hotez said.

The Texas Department of State and Health Services told ABC13 it is monitoring the two people from Texas who were exposed. The department said the two Texans are not sick following their exposure and said they don't pose a risk to other people living in Texas.

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