90-Second Read: 2 Hantavirus cruise passengers are Texas residents, health department confirms

Texas health officials say two Houston residents were on the cruise ship linked to a Hantavirus outbreak. Department of Health and Human Services says two passengers who may have been exposed to the virus are Texas residents. There is no medicine, there is no shot, there are no pills or injections that we have that's effective in treating this." The state health department said the Texas passengers have no reported symptoms and have agreed to monitor themselves daily with temperature checks. New details are emerging about American passengers connected to a Hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship. We're learning more about American passengers on the cruise ship at the center of a Hantavirus outbreak.

The Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed in a statement this week that they'd been contacted by the CDC and learned two Texas residents were aboard the ship. Le said she's seen Hantavirus cases in the United States that have not led to widespread outbreaks. The chances that you will get this just because you're on a cruise ship is very low." As all eyes are on the ship MV Hondius, Texas Health and Human Services said there are no documented cases where a person without symptoms transmitted the virus. NBC 5's Candace Sweat reports on what we know so far about the potential exposure and the ongoing response. Michael Waldman, medical director of the National Quarantine Unit Create a free account with NBC 5 DFW to save articles.

According to reporting from our sister station KPRC, those passengers live in the Houston area. The remaining American passengers are expected to isolate at a preplanned location. As for the two Texas passengers, NBC 5's affiliate KPRC said they confirmed with local officials that they are Houston Residents. They've been told to contact public health officials at any sign of a possible illness. Upon arrival they'll be given an epidemiological assessment, and at that point the quarantine period will be determined.

Le said quarantine guidelines for passengers present a challenge. As we head into summer graduations and family vacations, she said, now is not a time for panic. At this point, we don't have a defined quarantine period," saidDr. You actually have to be staying in the same room within close contact for a prolonged period of time to get it," said Le. So, unlike COVID, trying to quarantine someone for that long when they have not symptoms does not make sense.