U.S. Monitoring 41 People After Deadly Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship

CDC monitors hantavirus exposure

Cruise ship reports deadly outbreak

U.S. maintains preventive quarantines

U.S. health authorities are monitoring 41 people after potential exposure to the Andes strain of hantavirus connected to the outbreak aboard the MV Hondius.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is currently leading the public health response in the country.

So far, no positive cases have been confirmed within the United States.

The monitored group includes 18 people evacuated after traveling aboard the cruise ship.

These individuals remain under observation in medical facilities.

Authorities are also closely monitoring passengers who left the ship before the hantavirus outbreak was detected.

Additionally, a third group was identified after having contact with one of the infected passengers during a flight.

According to health officials, that person had traveled aboard the cruise ship, showed symptoms, and boarded a flight from Saint Helena to Johannesburg.

Despite the situation, the CDC maintains that the overall risk to the general public remains low.

CDC recommends isolation and monitoring for 42 days

According to EFE, 23 of the 41 monitored individuals remain at home under the supervision of health authorities.

The CDC recommended that these individuals isolate for a period of 42 days.

David Fitter stated that the agency is working closely with passengers and public health authorities.

The goal is to ensure continuous monitoring and rapid access to medical care if hantavirus symptoms appear.

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“We are working closely with passengers and our public health partners to ensure monitoring and rapid access to medical care,” Fitter stated.

The official added that the priority is to support exposed individuals and develop plans adapted to each specific situation.

Health authorities continue tracing possible contacts connected to the outbreak.

So far, monitoring remains a preventive measure while the epidemiological investigation continues.

Cruise ship outbreak leaves three dead

MV Hondius hantavirus monitoring – PHOTO: EFE

The hantavirus outbreak originated aboard the MV Hondius.

The vessel was carrying 147 passengers and crew members.

The voyage began in Ushuaia and traveled across several Atlantic islands before arriving in the Canary Islands.

During the trip, several virus-related cases emerged.

The outbreak has already resulted in three deaths.

U.S. authorities evacuated 18 citizens from the Spanish islands.

The passengers returned to the United States early Monday morning.

Since then, they have remained under health supervision.

Hantavirus remains under intense scrutiny because of the potential transmission risk and the severity of several reported cases.

Meanwhile, the CDC continues coordinating monitoring efforts for exposed individuals and tracking possible symptoms.

Health authorities emphasized that despite active surveillance, the current risk to the public is still considered low.

The case has generated international attention because of the number of people being monitored and the circumstances surrounding the outbreak during the maritime voyage.