US President Donald Trump said Thursday that federal authorities are closely monitoring recent hantavirus infections, expressing confidence that the situation is currently under control.
Speaking to reporters near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Trump said health officials are actively investigating the outbreak and preparing a detailed public report.
“We hope the situation is under control,” Trump stated, adding that medical experts and government agencies are continuing their assessments.
When questioned about the potential risk of wider transmission across the United States, Trump said authorities are doing everything possible to prevent further spread.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has classified the outbreak as a Level 3 emergency response, the agency’s lowest activation category, according to media reports.
Health officials said the outbreak involves the Andes strain of hantavirus and has resulted in five confirmed infections, including three fatalities. The cases are linked to passengers aboard the MV Hondius.
The ship, carrying around 150 passengers and crew members representing 23 nationalities, departed from Argentina before crossing the Atlantic Ocean. Authorities became aware of the outbreak after multiple passengers reportedly developed respiratory symptoms while the vessel was sailing near Cape Verde.
International health agencies continue tracking the situation as investigations into the source and possible transmission of the virus remain ongoing.
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