Public Health – Seattle & King County was notified on 5/14/26 of an additional King County resident that was on the same plane as an ill passenger from the MV Hondius cruise ship announced on Tuesday, 5/12/26. The King County resident is considered at low risk for infection because they were not seated near the ill passenger. This resident is asymptomatic and monitoring for symptoms.
Public Health – Seattle & King County has been notified about three King County residents who were potentially exposed to hantavirus linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship. All three are asymptomatic and monitoring for symptoms, in coordination with public health officials. There are no cases of hantavirus in King County at this time.
Hantavirus is in the news with the cruise ship outbreak, but this type of hantavirus is a low risk for people in King County. A public health veterinarian explains why, and also gives advice based on the few cases of hantavirus ever found in the King County.
The days are warmer which means more time for cleaning your garage or working in the garden. As you clean out that shed, or work on that weeding, be prepared for animals you may encounter at home and in your yard. Here is your local guide to help prevent some of the diseases that are spread between animals and humans.
Hantavirus can cause a rare but deadly disease called Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). In Washington state, hantavirus is spread by deer mice.
Public Health is currently investigating a case in a teenage King County resident. This person was hospitalized in early August and is now recovering. The patient reported being exposed to a mouse infestation at his house in Issaquah and also bitten by a rodent in the woods in a residential area in Issaquah, Washington.
Public Health is investigating a case of hantavirus in an adult resident of southeast King County. Hantavirus can cause a rare but deadly disease called Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). Although we are not aware of an increased risk for hantavirus exposure in King County, it is important that people are aware of the risk and symptoms to watch for and know how to identify and properly respond to rodent infestations. There is no vaccine or specific treatment for HPS, so minimizing exposures to rodents and their nests is key.
