Americans from hantavirus cruise ship remain in quarantine to monitor for symptoms, CDC says
NBC News • • health
Key Points:
- All 18 U.S. passengers from the MV Hondius cruise ship remain in federal quarantine as the CDC and doctors determine when they can safely end isolation after potential exposure to the Andes hantavirus.
- The CDC recommends a 42-day incubation period quarantine starting from the day the passengers disembarked, with ongoing interviews to assess the level of exposure to the virus.
- Two passengers have been tested for the Andes hantavirus strain, with one symptomatic patient testing negative; no Americans have had confirmed positive results to date.
- Eleven hantavirus cases, including three deaths, have been reported worldwide among Hondius passengers and crew, with the Andes strain being the only type known to transmit between people, though person-to-person spread is rare.
- Health officials continue to monitor passengers quarantining at home and advise testing only for those exposed and showing symptoms, while emphasizing precautions like isolation and mask-wearing.