The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention just classified the hantavirus outbreak as a “Level 3” emergency response, but the president says it’s already “under control.” That contradiction is raising eyebrows as health agencies scramble to contain the virus spreading among passengers of a Dutch cruise ship. The CDC activated its emergency operations centers this week, assigning epidemiologists, scientists, and physicians to monitor the situation.
According to the NY Post, a Level 3 designation is the lowest tier of emergency activation, meaning the risk to the general public is still considered low. That aligns with statements from the World Health Organization, which also called the threat minimal. Still, the CDC’s move signals a serious effort to track the outbreak, especially among travelers on the M/V Hondius, a cruise ship currently en route to the Canary Islands.
