American passenger tests positive as cruise ship virus outbreak grows

An American passenger evacuated from the cruise ship Hondius has tested positive for hantavirus as global health officials continue monitoring an outbreak linked to the vessel that has already claimed three lives.

The 17 American passengers arrived in the United States early Monday and were transported to the specialized ASPR Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center for medical evaluation and monitoring. Health officials said the infected American passenger currently has no symptoms, while another passenger is experiencing mild symptoms.

The outbreak aboard the polar expedition cruise ship has triggered an international response involving several countries. Passengers have been evacuated from the ship off the coast of Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands and repatriated according to nationality. Spanish nationals were flown to Madrid for treatment, while other passengers were sent to countries including Australia, the Netherlands, France, and the United States.

French officials also confirmed that a woman who became ill during a repatriation flight tested positive for hantavirus after her condition worsened overnight. She is being treated at a hospital specializing in infectious diseases.

As of Saturday, officials said eight suspected cases connected to the ship had been identified, with five confirmed through testing. Thirty crew members remain aboard the Hondius as it returns to the Netherlands, accompanied by a medical team.

Health officials stressed that the outbreak does not pose a major public health threat. Hantavirus is typically spread through contact with infected rodent urine or feces. However, the Andes strain connected to the Hondius outbreak is capable of limited person-to-person transmission. Authorities believe the first infections likely occurred before passengers boarded the ship or during excursions in Argentina.

The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are recommending active monitoring for exposed passengers for up to 42 days. U.S. officials in at least six states are now monitoring returning passengers and others who may have been exposed to the virus.

Source: CNN