Health Officer Update: Ebola, hantavirus, and the World Cup
- Jun 8
- 4 min read
Dr. Herbie Duber is the health officer for Kitsap Public Health District. In addition to his work in public health, Dr. Duber serves as a professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Washington and is an attending physician at UW Medical Center and Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
Hello and welcome to my June Health Officer Update.
This month, I wanted to talk about the Ebola outbreak in Africa, the cruise ship hantavirus cases, and how Kitsap County is preparing for the World Cup.
Ebola outbreak in Africa
Public health agencies are responding to a devastating outbreak of Ebola disease in remote areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda.
The situation is changing rapidly. As of early June, over 500 confirmed Ebola cases and more than 90 deaths had been reported in the region.
No Ebola cases have been reported in the United States to date. In response to the outbreak, the CDC has placed restrictions on travel from Central and East Africa to the United States.
Ebola is a severe disease caused by a group of viruses called orthoebolaviruses and spread from person to person through body fluids. Ebola often results in death if it is left untreated. There is no vaccine or cure for the type of Ebola virus causing this outbreak.
We will continue to monitor this situation in collaboration with the Washington State Department of Health and share any updates affecting our state and region.
Hantavirus in the news
Hantavirus has also been in the headlines this spring because of an unusual cluster of cases linked to a cruise ship. The outbreak was first identified in early May among passengers and crew onboard a ship in the Atlantic Ocean.
As of late-May, 13 confirmed and probable hantavirus cases and three deaths linked to the ship had been reported to the World Health Organization (WHO). People who were potentially exposed to hantavirus were being quarantined in their home countries with supervision from public health agencies.
Closer to home, Public Health Seattle & King County announced that four King County residents were being monitored for hantavirus in connection with the cruise ship outbreak. No Washington cases connected the outbreak have been reported.
WHO and CDC health officials believe risk to the broader public from this outbreak is very low.
Hantavirus is a family of viruses typically spread by rodents. In humans, it can cause severe illness and death. The cruise ship outbreak was caused by a hantavirus called Andes virus, which is found in South America. Andes is the only strain of hantavirus that is known to spread from person to person.
What to know about Hantavirus in Washington
Rodents in Washington can carry hantavirus, but it’s a different strain of virus called Sin Nombre. This hantavirus is not known to spread from person to person. People can be infected with the virus when they have contact with droppings or urine from rodents, especially deer mice.
Hantavirus cases are rare in Washington: 15 cases and four deaths were reported statewide from 2010 to 2024. No cases have been confirmed in Kitsap County since public health started tracking the disease in the 1990s.
Because rodents can carry a variety of diseases, it’s important to keep rodents out of your home and workplace and take precautions when cleaning up rodent poop, urine, and nests. This fact sheet has great tips for safely cleaning up after rodents.
World Cup 2026
Seattle is expecting 750,000 people during FIFA World Cup 2026 and is hosting six games at Seattle Stadium (Lumen Field). Bremerton is an official SeattleFWC26 Fan Zone and will be hosting a number of watch parties in Quincy Square.
While the international spotlight on our region is exciting, more visitors and crowds could also pose special public health challenges. We especially want to stress the importance of staying cool during hot weather and taking steps to prevent the spread of illness in big group settings.
Heat safety
The National Weather Service is predicting higher-than-normal summer temperatures in Washington state.
If you are outside in the heat and start to feel sick:
Tired
Weak
Sweaty
Dizzy
Achy
Nauseous
It’s time to take a break and cool off. Drink water, take off layers, loosen clothing, and move to a cooler area.
If you notice more severe symptoms like confusion, fainting, or muscle cramps, it could be heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion is a medical emergency – call 911 right away.
Respiratory illnesses
Respiratory illnesses like colds, flu, COVID-19, and RSV can be easily spread – especially in large crowds. You can help keep family, friends, neighbors, and tourists healthy by:
Covering your coughs and sneezes
Staying up to date on vaccines
Staying home if you feel sick
Local preparedness
We are in the process of printing posters that share information on heat safety and respiratory illness prevention. These posters will be placed in the windows of participating businesses surrounding the Quincy Square Fan Zone.
The Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management (KCDEM) will be monitoring the Bremerton Fan Zone and is staying in communication with local police and fire departments. Kitsap Public Health District will be available to assist KCDEM if any public health emergencies arise.
Learn more and keep in touch
You can watch my full report to the Kitsap Public Health Board by clicking on the video below or on Vimeo. You can read past Health Officer Updates on our blog.
Have a question or want to get in touch? Email pio@kitsappublichealth.org.
You can subscribe to receive Health Officer Updates and other public health news by email or text.
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