Washington, United States. U.S. health officials said 18 passengers from the MV Hondius cruise ship were flown back to the United States and quarantined after an Andes hantavirus outbreak. One passenger who tested positive was placed in a Nebraska biocontainment unit.
Quarantine and monitoring arrangements
Officials from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said the passengers are being monitored at U.S. medical facilities for hantavirus. Sixteen are at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and two are in Atlanta, including one who is experiencing symptoms, officials said at a press briefing.
Virus linked to the cruise ship
The passengers had been aboard the MV Hondius, a luxury expedition cruise ship linked to an outbreak of the Andes virus, the only hantavirus species known to be capable of limited spread from person-to-person. Hantavirus is usually spread by wild rodents.
Public risk assessment and administration comments
U.S. health officials said the risk to the general public remains very low. Admiral Brian Christine, assistant secretary for health at the agency, said the Andes virus does not spread easily and generally requires prolonged close contact with someone who is symptomatic.
President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters at the Oval Office, said of the U.S. handling of the hantavirus situation, “I think (it was) fine.” Asked if he regrets withdrawing from the World Health Organization, he said, “No, I’m glad.”
WHO case count and biocontainment decisions
The World Health Organization said on Monday that seven cases of the Andes hantavirus have been confirmed among people who were passengers on the cruise ship.
Officials said the two passengers sent to Atlanta were a couple, one of whom had symptoms, and were taken to Emory University’s biocontainment unit to help preserve Nebraska’s capacity for any other passengers who might need higher-level care.
Condition of the patient in Nebraska
Angela Hewlett, an infectious disease physician and medical director of the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit, said the individual taken there was doing well and had not shown any symptoms. She said officials would continue monitoring the individual and ensure that they remain asymptomatic.
What steps should you take if you learn you may have had prolonged close contact with someone who is symptomatic for hantavirus?
