Al Roker Says CDC Asked Him to ‘Voluntarily Test’ After Returning Home From Europe Amid Hantavirus Outbreak

TV weathercaster Al Roker surprised some viewers when he revealed he was asked to undergo voluntary testing by the CDC for the hantavirus while returning to the United States after an overseas trip.

The 71-year-old meteorologist for the Today show, was in Europe for his daughter’s wedding, where Leila married longtime boyfriend Sylvain Gricourt.

In a discussion about the deadly hantavirus outbreak aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius, Roker brought up his own experience.

Speaking on Tuesday May 12, episode of Today, he said, per People: “I was coming from Europe this weekend from my daughter’s wedding, and the CDC was asking people to voluntarily test. But they didn’t say for what, so I just wonder if it was a precaution here.”

Roker’s comments came after the outbreak of the hantavirus on MV Hondius which has now killed three passengers, and left five others infected.

According to the CDC, hantavirus is a family of viruses, contracted when humans come into contact with rodents like rats and mice. It can transmit via bite or scratch, but is more likely to be transmitted when individuals are exposed to urine, droppings, or saliva from rodents. The virus can cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) found mostly in Europe and Asia.

Hantaviruses found in the Western hemisphere, including here in the United States, can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS).

Globe has previously reported how an American on the ship has tested positive for the virus.

A total of 17 US citizens who were aboard the cruise ship have now returned home.

Roker was in Paris for the wedding of his daughter and shared news of the impending marriage after Gricourt proposed in Venice last year.