Public health officials across at least ten U.S. states are currently keeping an eye on residents for signs of symptoms connected to possible hantavirus exposure. This alert follows an outbreak linked to the MV Hondius, a Dutch-flagged cruise ship, which has resulted in three fatalities and several illnesses.
On Monday, 16 individuals who evacuated from the cruise, which included 15 U.S. citizens and one British dual national, were taken to the National Quarantine Center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. One passenger, initially testing positive but showing no symptoms, was later moved out of the hospital’s biocontainment unit after subsequent tests came back negative.
Additionally, two more people who disembarked the ship were sent to Emory University’s Serious Communicable Diseases Unit in Atlanta. One of these individuals is in the biocontainment unit displaying mild symptoms, yet has tested negative for the virus so far.
Last week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a notice urging healthcare providers and state health departments to monitor for potential imported cases. While the CDC has categorized the outbreak as a Level 3 emergency, which is the least serious type of activation, it emphasizes that the risk to the general public in the U.S. remains “extremely low.”
Here’s how health officials from various states are responding.
Arizona
The Arizona Department of Health Services reported that they are monitoring one resident who was onboard the MV Hondius. This individual is “not symptomatic and is being watched by public health,” according to spokesperson Magda Rodriguez. Notably, this resident left the ship at St. Helena on April 24, prior to the outbreak confirmation.
California
California’s Department of Public Health is keeping tabs on four residents potentially exposed to the hantavirus tied to the cruise. Of these, three were passengers on the MV Hondius—two of whom were among those sent to Nebraska. Another passenger returned home before the outbreak was recognized and is under local monitoring. Moreover, an additional California resident was identified as having sat near an infected cruise passenger during an international flight.
Georgia
Besides the passengers sent to Emory University Hospital, the Georgia Department of Public Health noted it is monitoring two individuals who traveled on the MV Hondius. Luckily, these residents are in good health with no signs of infection.
Kansas
Kansas health officials are monitoring three individuals who had what has been described as “high-risk exposure” to someone confirmed with hantavirus. This exposure occurred outside the U.S., and involved close contact with a passenger from the MV Hondius. Notably, the three individuals do not exhibit any symptoms and are not deemed contagious at this time.
Maryland
The Maryland Department of Health is monitoring two residents who were on a flight that briefly included an MV Hondius passenger with hantavirus.
Minnesota
In Minnesota, officials are watching one person who possibly had brief exposure overseas to an individual from the MV Hondius who tested positive. They are being cooperative and are under daily monitoring, although they currently have no symptoms.
New Jersey
The New Jersey Department of Health announced that it is keeping an eye on two residents who may have been exposed to an infected MV Hondius passenger during air travel abroad. Notably, neither of them have displayed symptoms.
Texas
The Texas Department of State Health Services is monitoring two residents who were on the cruise and returned to the U.S. before the outbreak was found. They are not showing any symptoms and did not interact with sick individuals during the cruise. These residents have committed to self-monitoring with daily temperature checks.
Virginia
The Virginia Department of Health reported a resident returning from the affected cruise ship is in good health and not showing any symptoms.
Washington
Washington state officials mention they are observing three individuals who might have been exposed to hantavirus from the MV Hondius outbreak. Particularly, two Seattle-area residents were on a flight that briefly included an MV Hondius passenger who later tested positive for the virus. These individuals did not travel on the ship and are currently asymptomatic, according to health officials. A third resident from King County is among the passengers at the national quarantine center in Nebraska.
