American passengers exposed to hantavirus on the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius arrived in Omaha, Nebraska, on Monday for medical monitoring [1, 2].
The arrival marks a critical step in containing a rare viral outbreak that began while the ship was anchored near Tenerife in the Canary Islands. Because hantaviruses can cause severe respiratory distress, health officials are utilizing specialized quarantine units to prevent further transmission within the U.S. [3, 4].
A repatriation flight landed at Omaha Eppley Airfield at approximately 2:30 a.m. ET Monday [3]. Between 17 and 18 American passengers arrived on the flight [1, 2]. Upon arrival, the group was transported to a quarantine and monitoring unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Campus [3].
Health officials said that at least one passenger tested positive for the virus [3]. A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services said one individual "tested mildly PCR positive for the Andes virus" [3]. The spokesperson also said another "American on the repatriation flight began showing symptoms of hantavirus" [3].
The MV Hondius was the site of the initial exposure while docked in the Canary Islands [2, 4]. The specific strain identified, the Andes virus, is a known cause of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. While most hantaviruses are transmitted through rodent droppings, the Andes strain is notable for its potential for person-to-person transmission, a rarity for this family of viruses.
Medical teams in Nebraska continue to monitor the passengers for respiratory symptoms. Georgia residents associated with the cruise are also remaining under watch as part of the broader public health response [3].
“"tested mildly PCR positive for the Andes virus"”
The identification of the Andes virus is significant because, unlike most hantaviruses that require contact with infected rodents, this specific strain has demonstrated the ability to spread between humans. The decision to route passengers through a specialized medical campus in Omaha suggests a precautionary approach to isolate potential cases and prevent a wider domestic outbreak of a high-mortality respiratory illness.
