Health

Health Department Strengthens Infectious Disease Preparedness as Hantavirus Risk Remains Very Low in USVI

The V.I. Department of Health says there are no confirmed cases of hantavirus in the U.S. Virgin Islands and that the risk to residents and visitors remains very low, even as the department continues monitoring recent hantavirus activity reported outside the territory. Hantavirus is a rare disease primarily spread through contact with infected rodents or their urine, droppings and saliva. According to the CDC, the overall risk to the general public remains very low. Health officials said they are tracking updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, federal health partners and international public health agencies. At this time, VIDOH said there is no evidence of community transmission in the territory. “At this time, there is no threat to the Virgin Islands community,” said Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion. “There is no evidence of community transmission in the Territory, and the rodents associated with the current outbreak have not been identified in the United...