Topline
Health officials plan to meet the U.S. passengers aboard the hantavirus-affected MV Hondius when it arrives in the Canary Islands. They will be escorted to a quarantine location in Nebraska, where they will remain for an uncertain duration.
Timeline
CNN reports, citing unnamed health officials, that an estimated 17 Americans on the cruise will be flown to the National Quarantine Unit in Omaha on a chartered flight.
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill indicates that two residents are under observation after possible exposure to a cruise passenger with hantavirus, joining health officials in various states tracking potential contacts.
A 32-year-old woman in Alicante, Spain, who traveled on the same flight as an infected passenger from the MV Hondius, is beginning to show relevant symptoms, raising the count of confirmed and suspected cases to nine.
Authorities in Singapore confirm that two passengers from the cruise tested negative for the virus after sharing a flight with a deceased patient.
Canary Islands President Fernando Clavijo mentions that the MV Hondius will not be allowed to dock in Tenerife; instead, it will anchor offshore, with passengers safely transported to land only when their evacuation flight is ready. As of Friday, no remaining individuals on the ship exhibit symptoms.
New reports from UK health authorities show a new suspected hantavirus case linked to the cruise, involving a British man on the remote island of Tristan da Cunha.
The World Health Organization confirms a KLM flight attendant who had brief contact with a hantavirus patient is not infected, affirming that the virus requires prolonged close contact for transmission.
President Donald Trump assures reporters that the hantavirus situation is “very much” under control, expressing hopes that Americans shouldn’t worry.
Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo from the Infectious Diseases Society of America notes that the U.S. is “not prepared” to handle a hantavirus outbreak due to previous cutbacks in health funding.
Oceanwide Expeditions, the cruise operator, reports that at least 29 passengers from 12 different countries disembarked and returned home following the death of an initial passenger.
Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus of WHO states that some passengers flew to Johannesburg after sharing a plane with a deceased woman from the ship.
He also notes that while none of the remaining individuals aboard the MV Hondius are symptomatic, it’s possible more cases may arise as the virus can take weeks to show symptoms.
A Dutch flight attendant with mild symptoms is undergoing testing after coming into contact with the deceased patient.
Scientists from various organizations are working on developing a vaccine for hantavirus.
There are reports that Luis Rodríguez, an AmericanCDC official responsible for public health on cruise ships, is retiring.
WHO’s Maria Van Kerkhove asserts that while hantavirus is serious, it is not a major risk to the general population.
Officials confirm that the hantavirus outbreak pertains to a specific strain known as the Andes variant, noted for being particularly deadly.
Spanish health minister Monica Garcia states that MV Hondius is heading to Tenerife, where passengers will disembark by May 11 and be quarantined based on their nationality.
Three individuals requiring medical attention, including two in serious condition, have been evacuated from the ship to the Netherlands.
A passenger who traveled earlier in the cruise is hospitalized in Zurich with a strain of the hantavirus after returning home.
South African health officials confirm that tests confirm the Andes virus strain affected passengers from the MV Hondius.
The WHO acknowledges the spread of hantavirus aboard the vessel, noting both confirmed and suspected cases.
Cape Verde authorities have refused docking for the MV Hondius, citing public health concerns.
A German national passes away on the ship.
A British passenger is medically evacuated to South Africa and diagnosed with a hantavirus variant.
The wife of the first victim dies after collapsing in South Africa; she had a variant of the hantavirus.
A Dutch man dies aboard the MV Hondius, with his cause of death under investigation.
The MV Hondius departs from Ushuaia, Argentina.
Crucial Quote
“It’s been quite a mammoth effort,” says Professor Robin May from the UK Health Security Agency regarding the contact tracing of the ship’s passengers.
Where Is The MV Hondius?
The ship is currently off Morocco’s coast, headed to the Canary Islands, with passengers isolating in their cabins while medical teams are onboard.
Big Number
Nearly 150 people remain on the MV Hondius, including 17 Americans from 23 different countries.
Who Are The Hantavirus Patients?
- Suspected case: A 70-year-old Dutch man died on April 11 onboard the MV Hondius. His case is now thought to be the first on the ship.
- Confirmed case: His 69-year-old wife, also died later with a positive test for the Andes variant.
- Suspected case: A German woman died on May 2 aboard the ship; her body remains untested.
- Confirmed case: A British guide was evacuated to South Africa with symptoms of the Andes virus and is recovering.
- Confirmed case: A Dutch passenger was evacuated to the Netherlands for treatment.
- Confirmed case: A British passenger, evacuated and treated in the Netherlands.
- Confirmed case: A Swiss man developed symptoms after disembarking and is now hospitalized.
- Suspected case: A British man in Tristan da Cunha is suspected of hantavirus infection.
- Suspected case: A woman in Spain is under investigation after traveling with a confirmed case.
- Tested negative: A KLM flight attendant who exhibited mild symptoms has tested negative.
What Happens To Those Exposed To Andes Hantavirus?
WHO officials are tracking individuals who may have come into contact with infected persons, assessing exposure risk levels, and providing follow-up health checks.
Key Background
The MV Hondius left Ushuaia, Argentina on April 1, visiting remote locations before attempting to dock in Cape Verde, which was denied. Spanish authorities later authorized docking in Tenerife for passenger disembarkation.
Tangent
A passenger expressed frustration over the lack of communication from the ship’s operator regarding potential health threats after an initial death aboard.
What Is The Andes Hantavirus?
This variant is known for its person-to-person transmission risk, which occurs primarily during close interaction in early illness stages. Symptoms typically arise within one to eight weeks and can vary significantly.
What Are The Symptoms Of Hantavirus?
Hantavirus can cause two major syndromes, each with serious symptoms and varying mortality rates. Early signs generally include fatigue and muscle aches, while severe symptoms may escalate to difficulties with breathing.
How Is Hantavirus Treated?
There is no specific treatment for hantavirus infections; patients receive supportive care as needed, with no backing for using ivermectin as a treatment.
Surprising Fact
Betsy Arakawa, the wife of actor Gene Hackman, died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome a few years ago.
