Hantavirus-Infected Cruise Ship: Americans Among Passengers Who Disembarked After Start Of Outbreak

Dozens of people, including Americans, disembarked the cruise ship MV Hondius and flew home after a passenger's death, but before a hantavirus outbreak was confirmed. Oceanwide Expeditions reported 29 passengers from 12 countries, including the US, left the ship on May 7th. Some shared a flight with a woman who later died from the virus. The World Health Organization states no remaining passengers or crew on the MV Hondius are symptomatic, but more cases are possible due to the Andes variant's six-week incubation period. The public health risk is considered low. Currently, nearly 150 individuals from 23 nations, including 17 US citizens, are confined to the ship, which is off West Africa en route to the Canary Islands. Medical teams are aboard. Andes is the only hantavirus strain transmitted person-to-person, typically from rodents, though none were found on the ship.