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By Peter Aitken
Politics Weekend Editor
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A student at Geneva High School in Ontario County, New York, has been identified as the subject of an investigation into a suspected hantavirus case.
Ontario County health officials stressed that the case is not connected to the outbreak on the cruise ship MV Hondius, and that any form of the virus contracted on the mainland United States is different. County Public Health Director Kate Ott, in a statement to the media, stressed that this version is "not spread person to person," but rather "between mice and humans."
"There is no connection to the current cruise ship outbreak. There is no risk to the general public," Ott wrote in the statement. "This is a good opportunity to raise community awareness about using masks and other protective gear when cleaning attics, cabins and sheds this spring. Wearing gloves during these activities and washing hands and clothing afterwards are great prevention strategies."
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She added: “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."
In a message from the school district to families, seen by Rochester news station WHAM, Superintendent Bo Wright said that the district understands the stress that a rare illness can cause and the questions and concerns it raises among families, but that school personnel are working with the county Department of Health and following its guidance.
"As shared in our communication to families and staff, health officials have advised there is no evidence of risk to other students or staff related to this situation," Wright said.
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How Common Is Hantavirus in New York?
The Ontario Department of Health noted that human hantavirus infections in New York are uncommon, with only a handful of cases reported since the practice was made mandatory in 1995.
This week, the New York State Department of Health said three New York residents who were passengers on the MV Hondius arrived at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. One passenger is from New York City, while the others are residents of Orange and Westchester counties. The three are expected to be subject to a 42-day monitoring period.
Hantavirus in Ontario County Is 'A Case of Bad Timing'
In an email response to questions, Ott told Newsweek that she said she could not provide much in the way of specific information about the case but said that the student suspected of having hantavirus has had mild symptoms for a few weeks and is currently recovering.
Ott said that there is no treatment for the student other than "supportive care."
"Hantavirus in the US is a different strain; one that is not communicable person-to-person," she added.
It remains unknown if the student had interacted much with other students during their peak symptoms, but Ott stressed that since this strain of the virus is not contagious, "it is not really an issue."
"In my experience, schools don’t do this kind of testing and there would be no need as the type of virus endemic in the US cannot be shared person-to-person," Ott said. "If more than one person is exposed at the same time, multiple cases could result. For instance, a group of friends stays in a cabin where mouse droppings are present. They clean the area by dry-sweeping or vacuuming. Any or all of them could develop symptoms."
However, she called this incident "a case of bad timing."
"Ontario County is rural with many small, tight-knit communities," she said. "There was murmuring in the community about our case about 4 hours after I received the lab result. News travels fast. I felt it prudent to reassure the community that this case is unrelated to the cruise ship outbreak to quell fears and anxiety among our residents."
She advised that anyone performing any spring cleaning in cabins, garages, sheds or attics use damp mops or cleaning rags and wear a mask and gloves, particularly as hantavirus "is not the only virus transmissible by animal feces."
"Using protection is good practice," Ott said.
Understanding the Different Strains of Hantavirus
Hantavirus infections are typically acquired through exposure to infected rodents rather than from other people. Individuals most often become infected by inhaling airborne particles contaminated with rodent urine, droppings, or saliva, especially in enclosed or poorly ventilated environments.
Person‑to‑person transmission is generally considered extremely uncommon for most hantavirus strains, and the virus is not easily spread between humans. Health officials emphasize that the overwhelming majority of cases stem from environmental exposure, with only rare and limited circumstances raising concern about potential human transmission.
The Andes strain of hantavirus stands apart from others because it has demonstrated the ability to spread between people. Investigations into outbreaks have highlighted this variant as one of the few known to enable human‑to‑human transmission, though such spread remains unusual.
Even with this capability, transmission of the Andes strain is still considered limited and typically requires close contact, with overall public health risk remaining low. Experts stress that while it can move between individuals, it does not spread as easily or widely as more contagious respiratory viruses.
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Hantavirus on the MV Hondius
The hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius emerged after passengers fell ill during a voyage from Argentina to Antarctica and several remote South Atlantic islands in April. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported 11 cases connected to the ship worldwide, including three deaths, with eight infections confirmed through laboratory testing. The outbreak involves the Andes strain of hantavirus.
As passengers dispersed internationally before the outbreak was identified, health agencies across multiple countries launched extensive contact‑tracing efforts. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is monitoring 41 people for potential exposure, including passengers who returned home and others who may have encountered infected individuals during travel. Eighteen Americans were placed in federal quarantine facilities in Nebraska and Atlanta after being evacuated from the ship, while additional contacts are being monitored by state health departments. Officials have emphasized a 42‑day monitoring period due to the virus’s long incubation time and have advised those under surveillance to avoid travel and close contact.
In the U.S., the CDC is monitoring people in seven states who were not on the cruise ship but may have been exposed to hantavirus while traveling: California, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Dakota and Washington.
Five states—Arizona, California, Georgia, Texas and Virginia—are also monitoring seven Americans who returned home in April after being on the Hondius.
What Are the Symptoms of Hantavirus?
Early symptoms of hantavirus include:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Muscle aches, particularly in the thighs, hips and back
- Headache and dizziness
- Nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain
Though they may present mildly, these symptoms can rapidly progress to life‑threatening respiratory illness. Because symptoms can worsen quickly, doctors urge anyone who develops flu‑like illness after known rodent exposure or contact with a confirmed case to seek medical attention immediately.
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