Health Authorities Monitor Hantavirus Cruise Passengers in United States
The New York Times • • world
Key Points:
- American officials are monitoring residents in Georgia, California, and Arizona who were aboard the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius, where a deadly hantavirus outbreak occurred; none of the monitored individuals have shown symptoms so far.
- Since April 11, the MV Hondius has reported three passenger deaths and five others sickened by hantavirus, a rare virus transmitted by rodents, according to the World Health Organization.
- The Georgia Department of Public Health is monitoring two residents, both currently healthy, while California and Arizona health departments are also tracking passengers but report no known infections or symptoms.
- The CDC tracks hantavirus cases in the U.S., with 26 cases reported in 2023 and a total of 890 cases since 1993; the agency is involved in monitoring efforts related to the cruise ship outbreak.
- Three patients were evacuated from the MV Hondius near Cape Verde and are being treated in the Netherlands; the ship is now en route to the Canary Islands.
