U.S. to Repatriate 17 Americans from Cruise Ship with Hantavirus Cases to Nebraska Quarantine Unit

Georgia and Texas are each monitoring two residents who were on the cruise ship. Arizona and Virginia are each monitoring one resident who was on the cruise ship.

Virginia’s health department stated that a small number (less than 5) of other potentially exposed Virginians might be identified. California’s health department stated that at least one California resident remains on board the ship and one other returned to the state after disembarking.

New Jersey’s health department stated that two New Jersey residents who were not passengers were potentially exposed during air travel abroad. The Texas residents are monitoring themselves for symptoms with daily temperature checks. The monitoring of the Arizona resident will last for 42 days starting when the person departed the ship, Ken Komatsu, Arizona’s state epidemiologist, said.

The outbreak began with a passenger who became sick in early April. Since the start of April, six passengers on the MV Hondius have been confirmed to have infections and two more cases are suspected. The strain involved is the Andes virus, identified in some cases linked to the cruise ship.

The Andes virus is the only known strain capable of limited person-to-person transmission. Hantavirus is typically spread through contact with infected rodents or their droppings, according to the CDC. The primary route of transmission is contact with rodents or their urine, feces or saliva.

U.S. hantavirus causes fever, fatigue, nausea and trouble breathing. The fatality rate for hantavirus in the Americas is up to 50% according to the World Health Organization. The virus’ incubation period can last up to six weeks. The CDC has deployed epidemiologists and medical professionals to the Canary Islands.

The vessel is expected to dock in Spain’s Canary Islands, where international teams are coordinating next steps for passengers and crew. As early as Sunday, global health authorities will help transport remaining asymptomatic passengers to their home countries.