Health Alert: TCWH Issues Statement Regarding Hantavirus; Risk Is Low

Published on May 14, 2026

Quote block from Hantavirus Press Statement (May 14, 2026):TCWH’s Medical Director Dr. William Klepack stated, “There is a lot of media attention on this situation right now, but the New York State Department of Health and TCWH would like the public to know that your risk is extremely low. Besides the Andes hantavirus not being present in the United States, public health is energetically managing the situation by proven measures including contact tracing, isolation when advisable, and extensive monitoring. This is not another pandemic and there is no need for alarm.”

Tompkins County Whole Health (TCWH) is alerting the community to the spread of the Andes hantavirus among passengers and crew on a cruise ship traveling in the Atlantic Ocean to areas in South America. The Andes hantavirus is found mainly in the long-tailed pygmy rice rat native to Chile and Argentina. The travelers became infected by the Andes hantavirus by taking a trip which brought them into extensive contact with environments in which the rodents and their droppings were present.

The spread of the virus is limited to those who traveled aboard this ship or were in close contact with those individuals; passengers and crew, as well as close contacts, are being closely monitored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). WHO and CDC officials are conducting contact tracing to identify, notify and monitor those who have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with an infectious disease. There is no risk to those who have not traveled to this area or who have not had any contact with individuals from the ship. 

While this particular strain of the Andes hantavirus is capable of being spread from person to person via respiratory droplets, it is not a virus native to rodents in the United States. The hantaviruses native to rodents in the United States are only known to be spread by direct contact and prolonged exposure with the rodents and their droppings and are not spread from human to human. 

TCWH’s Medical Director Dr. William Klepack stated, “There is a lot of media attention on this situation right now, but the New York State Department of Health and TCWH would like the public to know that your risk is extremely low. Besides the Andes hantavirus not being present in the United States, public health is energetically managing the situation by proven measures including contact tracing, isolation when advisable, and extensive monitoring. This is not another pandemic and there is no need for alarm.”  

Although rodent droppings in New York State are unlikely to have hantavirus, everyone should take precautions when cleaning out areas in which rodent droppings, urine, or saliva may be present. Precautions include: 

  • Wearing a facemask, such as an N95 or KN95 facemask 

  • Wet down the area to be cleaned 

  • Clean the area thoroughly, using a 10% bleach solution 

  • Dispose of waste in sealed plastic bags to limit any aerosolization (liquids turning into fine dust particles) as the materials dry out 

  • Wash hands and clothing thoroughly after cleaning up the area 

Additional information about cleaning practices: How to Clean Up After Rodents (CDC) 

Further information about hantavirus is available at: About Hantavirus (CDC)  

Information about rodent control available at: Healthy Neighborhoods Program: Other Topics 

Tompkins County Whole Health: envisioning a future where every person in Tompkins County can achieve wellness. Find us online at: https://www.tompkinscountyny.gov/health and follow us on Facebook, Instagram or X. Sign up to receive Whole Health updates or other county announcements via email or text. 

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