Possible Illinois hantavirus case not linked to outbreak on MV Hondius cruise ship
New York Post • • health
Key Points:
- A potential hantavirus case unrelated to the MV Hondius outbreak was reported in Winnebago County, Illinois, involving a resident who likely contracted the North American hantavirus strain from rodent droppings, with mild symptoms and no hospitalization required.
- Unlike the Andes strain linked to the cruise ship outbreak, North American hantavirus strains are not known to spread person-to-person, and the risk for Illinois residents remains very low.
- Eighteen Americans evacuated from the MV Hondius are under monitoring; sixteen are quarantined in Nebraska and asymptomatic, while two are in Atlanta, with one showing symptoms but testing negative for the Andes strain.
- Additional Americans, including five who did not board the ship but traveled on international flights with passengers from the cruise, are in isolation and being monitored, though none have shown symptoms.
- The MV Hondius has resumed its journey to the Netherlands with minimal crew onboard following the evacuation of 94 people, marking the conclusion of the emergency response operation.