- CDC says there are no known hantavirus cases in the U.S.
- Officials are monitoring 41 people across 16 states.
- The only American who tested positive later tested negative three times.
- Ten total cases have been reported worldwide, including three deaths.
- No new global cases have been reported since May 2.
The United States currently has no known cases of hantavirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The update came Friday (15) after another round of testing at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.
The announcement has raised hopes in the US as health officials continue to monitor a global outbreak that has killed three people and sickened 10 others.
The CDC said at least 41 people in 16 states may have been exposed to the virus. About half are isolating at home. The remaining people are under observation at medical centers in Omaha, Atlanta, and Kansas City.
Dr. Stephen Kornfeld of Oregon was the only American passenger aboard the MV Hondius who initially tested positive for hantavirus. However, a second test taken on the ship came back negative.
After returning to the United States on Monday (11), Kornfeld underwent more testing. The CDC said he has now tested negative three times and has shown no symptoms since returning home.
Officials believe the original positive result was likely a false positive. They also said Kornfeld does not have antibodies to hantavirus, which suggests he was never exposed to the virus or became ill from it.
NBC News has reached out to Kornfeld for comment.
Because he was originally considered the only American case, Kornfeld had been placed in a biocontainment unit at the medical facility in Omaha. He has now been moved to a quarantine unit. Fifteen other people from the voyage are also in quarantine in the United States.
Two additional passengers are receiving treatment at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta.
Kornfeld’s latest negative result lowered the total number of reported cases worldwide to 10. Of those cases, three people have died.
World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said eight of the 10 cases have been confirmed through laboratory testing. The other two are considered suspected cases.
Speaking at a Friday (15) news conference, Ghebreyesus said no new cases have been reported since May 2. He also said the overall global health risk remains low.
In Canada, health officials said they are monitoring 36 people, including four passengers from the cruise ship. So far, none of them have shown symptoms.
Doctors continue to warn that people who currently test negative could later test positive. Because of that risk, CDC officials are asking quarantined passengers to remain under observation for the virus’s full incubation period of 42 days.
Meanwhile, 27 people remain aboard the MV Hondius as the ship sails back to the Netherlands to complete its trip. Ghebreyesus said the vessel is expected to arrive on Monday.
