Serious hantavirus cases prompted medical evacuations as U.S. and international agencies launched coordinated response operations aboard a cruise vessel.
The U.S. government says it is closely monitoring the situation with U.S. travelers onboard the MV Hondius luxury cruise ship, where confirmed cases of the hantavirus have already killed three, federal health officials said on May 6.
The U.S. Department of State is leading a coordinated, whole-of-government response that includes direct contact with passengers, diplomatic coordination, and collaboration with domestic and international health authorities, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a statement.
“The Administration is closely monitoring the situation with U.S. travelers onboard the M/V Hondius cruise ship with confirmed hantavirus. Our top priority remains the health and safety of all U.S. passengers,” the CDC said.
The agency added that the U.S. government is leaning on premier health experts to lead the response.
“We are working closely with our international partners to provide technical assistance and guidance to mitigate risk,” the statement said.
“At this time, the risk to the American public is extremely low. We urge all Americans aboard the ship to follow the guidance of health officials as we work to bring you home safely.”
Hantavirus is spread through contact with rodent droppings, urine, or saliva and can cause severe respiratory illness. Human-to-human transmission is rare but possible with certain strains.
Anchored Off Cape Verde
The Dutch-flagged expedition vessel, which is operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, departed Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1 for a polar cruise. It carried 147 passengers and crew from multiple countries, including approximately 17 Americans. The ship anchored off Cape Verde after reports of severe illnesses and deaths among passengers.
So far, a total of eight people are suspected to have contracted the virus, including the three who died.
Seriously ill individuals have been evacuated, and ongoing international coordination is underway with Dutch, South African, and other authorities.
Among those evacuated from MV Hondius was a resident of Switzerland who had tested positive for the Andes strain of hantavirus, Swiss officials said on May 6. The infected person is currently being treated at the University Hospital Zurich. South Africa also confirmed on May 6 that one UK national, an MV Hondius passenger infected with the virus, remains hospitalized in Johannesburg and is reported to be in a stable condition.
U.S. officials have not made the exact number of affected U.S. citizens public in their statements, though some Americans who disembarked earlier are under monitoring in U.S. states. The CDC has directed travelers to its hantavirus resources while underscoring low risk to the general public.
