Health officials track fourth King County resident tied to MV Hondius Andes hantavirus

Key Points:

• Public Health – Seattle & King County is monitoring a fourth resident for possible exposure to Andes hantavirus linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak, following notification from state and federal health agencies.
• The newly monitored resident did not travel on the cruise ship but was on a flight from Johannesburg to Amsterdam with an ill passenger who tested positive for the virus; this individual is considered low risk due to seating distance and remains asymptomatic.
• Three other King County residents are also under monitoring: two who were seated near the infected passenger on the flight and one who was aboard the MV Hondius, all currently symptom-free.
• There are no confirmed cases of Andes hantavirus in King County, and health officials emphasize the public risk remains low while continuing to monitor exposed individuals for early detection.
• Andes hantavirus is primarily spread through contact with wild rodents, but uniquely among hantaviruses, it can transmit between people through close contact or exposure to bodily fluids.