US Cruise Ship Evacuees Monitored for Hantavirus at US Facilities

Health Officials State Public Risk Remains Very Low

Eighteen US nationals evacuated from a cruise ship due to potential hantavirus exposure are under monitoring at two major US medical facilities.

Sixteen individuals are at the National Quarantine Unit in Nebraska, the country's only such facility, while two are being observed in Atlanta.

One evacuee from the Dutch-operated MV Hondius tested positive for hantavirus but shows no symptoms. Another reports mild symptoms. US health officials emphasize that the risk to the general public is very low.

The MV Hondius, carrying about 150 people including approximately 114 guests and 61 crew members, departed Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1 for an itinerary including Antarctica and the South Atlantic before reaching Spain's Canary Islands. It left the Canary Islands on Monday en route to the Netherlands. The outbreak is linked to possible rodent exposure or an index case related to prior travel by a Dutch couple, predating the Canary Islands departure.

Reports cite nine confirmed hantavirus cases worldwide linked to the incident, with three deaths. Of these deaths, the World Health Organization has confirmed hantavirus in two cases.

To manage capacity at the Nebraska facility, some evacuees were transferred to Atlanta, including the individual with mild symptoms, according to Brendan Jackson of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The two in Atlanta are the symptomatic person and their partner.

"Let me be crystal clear: the risk of hantavirus to the general public remains very, very low," said Admiral Brian Christine of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). "The Andes variant of this virus does not spread easily, and it requires prolonged close contact with someone who is already symptomatic."

Hantavirus comprises viruses primarily carried by rodents. Experts note that most strains do not transmit person-to-person, though the Andes variant can under specific conditions.

The 16 evacuees in Nebraska are reported to be in good condition and spirits, according to Michael Wadman, medical director of the National Quarantine Unit. The asymptomatic positive case is in a biocontainment unit.

The CDC states that symptoms do not confirm hantavirus infection; mild cold-like symptoms also trigger monitoring as a precaution, per Jackson. Current efforts focus on symptom surveillance. Wadman indicated that Nebraska evacuees will receive further evaluation after rest.

Evacuees are expected to stay at the Nebraska facility for several days for assessment. Officials will decide case-by-case if the full 42-day quarantine is required, based on the virus's incubation period.

On Monday, California health officials reported that two state residents on the ship are among those monitored in Nebraska, while two others have returned to California without symptoms. No confirmed hantavirus cases exist in the state.

Six Canadians were aboard the ship. Four, originally from British Columbia or Yukon, returned to British Columbia via a chartered flight from Tenerife. They report no symptoms and are self-isolating for at least 21 days, potentially up to 42 days, per the Public Health Agency of Canada.

The remaining two Canadians, a couple in Ontario, are self-isolating at home without symptoms, according to Health Minister Sylvia Jones.

Two British nationals with confirmed cases are receiving treatment in the Netherlands and South Africa, respectively. A British-US dual national is among those in quarantine in Nebraska.

*With additional reporting by Shaimaa Khalil in California.*

*(Word count: 612)*