Hantavirus Concerns Following Cruise Ship Evacuation

Seventeen Americans evacuated from the MV Hondius cruise ship have returned to the U.S., with one individual testing positive for hantavirus, although they showed no symptoms. Another passenger exhibited mild symptoms, as reported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Traveling together, these two were transported by air in a biocontainment unit “out of an abundance of caution,” according to HHS. A convoy of emergency vehicles escorted the group to the ASPR Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

“Each individual will undergo a clinical assessment and receive appropriate care and support based on their condition,” added the post.

Cruise Ship Arrives Amid Outbreak

The plane touched down early Monday morning, with three individuals having died since the outbreak began. A statement from the Nebraska Department of Health Services indicated that one of the passengers would be taken to the Nebraska State Biocontainment Unit, while others would be placed in the State Quarantine Unit for monitoring.

“Passengers designated for the biocontainment unit have tested positive for the virus but show no symptoms. They were isolated from other passengers using proper biocontainment protocols during transit,” the update noted. “They will be observed further in the biocontainment unit, and follow-up testing will be performed as a precaution.”

Health Minister Updates Public

Meanwhile, French Health Minister Stéphanie List announced that a French national who was also on the cruise has tested positive and experienced a decline in health. This passenger was reported to have been one of five French nationals repatriated on Sunday, with symptoms emerging during a flight to Paris.

The Andes virus, a form of hantavirus transmitted by rodents, is a concern. Although rare, it can lead to a severe respiratory illness known as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). The U.S. government noted no presence of rodents carrying the Andes virus within the country.

While the Andes virus is primarily spread through infected rodents, human-to-human transmission can occur but is usually confined to close contact with an infected person, such as physical touch or sharing space.