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Cruise Ship Hantavirus Outbreak: 5 Californians Monitored
14 May
Summary
- Five California residents are monitored for potential hantavirus exposure.
- No confirmed US cases of Andes hantavirus exist.
- Exposed individuals are monitored daily for 42 days.
California public health officials announced on Wednesday that five state residents are under observation for potential exposure to the Andes hantavirus. This situation stems from an outbreak aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship. Officials emphasize that no confirmed cases of the virus exist among these five individuals or any other U.S. residents at this time.
One newly identified individual, currently in the Pitcairn Islands, was aboard the cruise ship before the outbreak was known and subsequently traveled. Of the remaining four, two are in California, one in Sacramento County and another in Santa Clara County, and are being monitored without symptoms. The other two are at a quarantine unit in Nebraska.
Individuals identified as exposed are monitored for 42 days, including daily temperature checks and symptom screenings. The Andes hantavirus, primarily found in Argentina and Chile, differs from the Sin Nombre strain found in North America. One California resident with no direct cruise link may have been exposed on an international flight carrying a deceased passenger.
