A follow up on the investigation into an illness in Pulaski County after two family members died.
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) says four people remain in the hospital and this remains an isolated illness among one family and a close family friend.
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There are no new cases of the illness and no new people admitted to the hospital.
Dr. Molly O'Dell says there is no indication of person to person transmission meaning it is not contagious and there is no public health risk.
As WSLS reported Friday sources tell us they are investigating the possibility that this is the hantavirus which is spread when people come in contact with infected rodents or their waste. The locations where the exposure might have occurred are on private property and have been secured. Those locations are pending environmental investigation.
Test results from samples taken Friday should be available in 48-72 hours according to VDH.
Here is the Saturday news release from Virginia Department of Health:
The active investigation continues into cases of isolated illness among a small group of people in the New River Valley, resulting in two fatalities.
Today four individuals remain hospitalized at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. There are no new cases of illness and no new hospital admissions reported to be associated with this group of individuals.
"There is still no indication of person-to-person transmission and no indication of any public health risk," said Molly O'Dell, M.D., director of the New River Health District. "This continues to appear to be an isolated incident with a single-source exposure."
The locations where exposure might have occurred are on private property and have been secured, pending further environmental investigation.
The collaborative investigation involves the Virginia Department of Health, local physicians and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"Because we are seeing some influenza activity in the community, people in the area may experience flu symptoms. This is not necessarily related to the isolated illness that is under investigation," said Dr. O'Dell. "As always, if you are concerned you may be developing influenza, you should follow up with your family physician as you normally would."
VDH will release additional information as warranted, as the investigation continues.