STATEMENT FROM NYC HEALTH COMMISSIONER DR. ALISTER MARTIN ON NEW YORK STATE RESIDENTS UNDER HANTAVIRUS MONITORING
Editor’s note: Readers may remember our coverage of the initial announcement of the presence of New Yorkers who were on the cruise ship where they were exposed to this virus, which normally is not transmitted person to person. At that time, there was great uncertainty as to how the quarantining would work once they were finally allowed to dock somewhere that had the capacity to receive such patients with these kind of specialized care needs.
NEW YORK, NY – New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin issued the following statement updating New Yorkers on New York state residents under monitoring for hantavirus symptoms:
“City, state, and county officials in New York have coordinated the transportation to New York State for two people under federal quarantine in Nebraska following possible hantavirus exposure. They will complete their 42-day monitoring and quarantine period at personal residences outside of New York City following established infectious disease protocols, including masking, controlled transport, quarantine, and daily monitoring by the local county and state health departments. There are established protocols and procedures in place for transportation if the individuals develop symptoms or need other medical care at a health care facility.
The risk to New Yorkers remains low. At this time, no one is planning to return to New York City. The NYC Health Department is monitoring the situation and remains in close communication with our partners at the New York State Health Department and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We will continue to keep New Yorkers updated if the situation changes.”
Banner Image: Quarantine. Image Credit – Jan Kopřiva
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is the department of the government of New York City responsible for public health along with issuing birth certificates, dog licenses, and conducting restaurant inspection and enforcement. The New York City Board of Health is part of the department. Its regulations are compiled in title 24 of the New York City Rules (the New York City Health Code). Since March 2022, the commissioner has been Ashwin Vasan.
