2 Hantavirus Cruise Passengers Are Texas Residents (Live Updates)
Forbes • • general
Key Points:
- Health experts are concerned about the U.S. readiness to handle a hantavirus outbreak after passengers returned from the MV Hondius cruise ship, where a contagious and deadly hantavirus was circulating.
- The MV Hondius, currently off the coast of West Africa, has nearly 150 people onboard from 23 countries, including 17 Americans, with passengers isolating in cabins and medical teams in protective gear onboard.
- The outbreak has resulted in three confirmed cases, five suspected cases, and three deaths; the virus involved is the Andes hantavirus, which is unique in being transmissible between people through close contact.
- Passengers criticized the cruise operator for not informing them about the virus after the first death, leading to continued social interaction without precautions, while the operator stated they were unaware of the infectious nature at the time.
- Hantavirus symptoms include severe respiratory and renal issues, with no specific treatment available beyond supportive care; the CDC states the risk to the wider population is low if proper infection control measures are followed.
