U.S. passengers from the MV Hondius cruise ship are undergoing quarantine and treatment after exposure to hantavirus [1, 2].
The situation marks a rare instance of the Andes virus entering the U.S., necessitating coordinated monitoring between Georgia and Nebraska to prevent further transmission.
Eighteen Americans arrived in Nebraska on Monday [3]. While some passengers are receiving treatment in Atlanta, Georgia, others are being monitored in Omaha, Nebraska [2, 3].
Health officials said one passenger has tested positive for the Andes virus, a rare type of hantavirus [4]. Another passenger is showing mild symptoms [4]. Other reports indicate up to two passengers, including a French national, have tested positive [5].
The outbreak on the MV Hondius has been deadly, with three reported deaths [5]. The Andes virus is a specific strain of hantavirus that can be transmitted between humans, a characteristic that distinguishes it from other hantavirus strains.
Despite the quarantine measures, U.S. health officials said the risk to the general public remains very, very low [6].
Officials continue to track the 18 passengers [3] to ensure the virus does not spread beyond the isolated group. The coordination between the two states allows for both acute medical treatment in Atlanta and residential monitoring in Omaha [2, 3].
“The risk to the general public remains very, very low.”
The arrival of the Andes virus in the U.S. is significant because, unlike most hantaviruses which are contracted via rodent droppings, the Andes strain can spread person-to-person. The decision to split passengers between a treatment facility in Atlanta and monitoring in Omaha suggests a tiered risk management strategy to contain a highly lethal but low-contagion pathogen.
