ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — The Geneva City School District confirmed Friday that the person believed to have hantavirus in Ontario County is a student at Geneva High School, as public health officials stress there is no evidence of risk to other students, staff or the general public.

The district sent a letter to families saying the Ontario County Department of Health is investigating the suspected case. The county said these kinds of infections are uncommon in New York.

Officials said the case is not connected to the hantavirus outbreak reported on a cruise ship.

Health officials said this strain of hantavirus is connected to rodents and can spread when infected urine, droppings or saliva become airborne. Officials said the virus is not spread from person to person.

Dr. Angel Bottler with Rochester Regional Health said hantavirus has been around for a long time and includes multiple strains.

“It’s a very different virus, and I think the most important message is that there is no transmission between people,” Bottler said.

In Geneva, some residents told News 8 they are watching for updates but are not worried about a wider public health threat.

“I’m pretty confident that this is not going to turn into that,” said Peyton Rose, who was visiting the area.

Rose said people may be quicker to react to public health concerns after the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I feel like everybody kind of has a knee-jerk reaction to public health issues now,” Rose said.

Rafael Diaz, who owns Esther’s Sons Kitchen in Geneva, said he wants to know more about how the person became infected so others can take proper precautions. He said he plans to take extra care when it comes to cleaning.

“The more clean is better for the business, it’s better for the customer, it’s better for us, for employees,” Diaz said.

Symptoms of hantavirus can include fever, headache and fatigue, according to health officials. Ontario County Public Health said it will continue monitoring the condition of the infected person until they make a full recovery.

The Geneva City School District is urging families to rely on information from the district and public health officials. The district said it will provide further updates when available.

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