HOUSTON – KPRC 2 Investigates has confirmed that the two Texas residents who were passengers on the MV Hondius ship that has been at the center of a hantavirus outbreak have been confirmed as residents in the City of Houston, according to city personnel.
We also have confirmed that officials have put into place safety protocols for first responders, specifically for any service calls involving the passengers who are monitoring themselves of symptoms.
On Thursday, the state’s Department of Health Services made it clear that the two individuals have agreed to keep an eye out for symptoms with daily temperature checks and “are not experiencing any symptoms and did not have any contact with a sick person while aboard the ship.”
KPRC 2 Investigates did speak with Houston Health Department Director Dr. Theresa Tran, who would not comment as to whether or not two Houstonians are being closely watched.
Dr. Tran simply confirmed the state informed all regional medical directors that two Texans were being monitored.
Tran also stated, “We also were made aware they have no symptoms. We were also made aware there is no public health threat at this time.”
Tran also asked that our specific inquiries to be made to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and DSHS.
DSHS in Thursday’s lengthy statement reported, “The strain in the Hondius outbreak, Andes virus, can spread from person to person in limited circumstances. It typically requires close, prolonged contact with a person who is actively sick with the disease. It is not known to spread through casual contact such as shaking hands or being in the same room for a few minutes. There have been no documented cases where a person without symptoms spread it to someone else.”
According to officials Hantaviruses usually transmits through wild rodent droppings or urine.