Key aspects:
- Two U.S. citizens recently returned home by boat MV Hondius, Cruise ship hit by deadly hantavirus outbreak.
- Although they are not showing any symptoms, officials are closely monitoring Georgia residents.
- The cruise ship itself has now completed three medical evacuations to Spain's Canary Islands.
The aftermath of a hantavirus outbreak unfolds on the ship of the Oceanwide Expedition MV Hondius, Among them are Three people have diedit is now possible to enter the United States.
this Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) Active surveillance is underway for two Georgia residents who recently disembarked from a small expedition vessel.
As of the time this article was published, the most recent guests had not shown any symptoms of the deadly infection. They follow current guidelines Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
“These individuals are currently in good health and show no signs of infection.” Georgia DPH Spokesperson tell the wtoa local news outlet.
The news comes shortly after another passenger on the 170-guest cruise ship recently tested positive for the virus in Sweden.
“Swiss authorities have confirmed a case of #hantavirus was found in a passenger aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship,” World Health Organization (WHO) Posted on X.
“He responded to the ship operator's email informing passengers of the health incident and went to a hospital in Zurich, Switzerland, for treatment,” WHO continued.
As of May 6, there were a total of 8 cases related to the cruise ship epidemic, 3 of which were confirmed to be hantaviruses by laboratory testing.
The American public should not panic
Cruise ship epidemics are extremely rare, and According to CDC archival dataThis is the first outbreak of hantavirus on a ship in more than three decades.
Even more unusually, the World Health Organization confirmed the virus was Andes mountain typeswhich is the only strain documented to be transmitted from person to person. Typically, the virus is contracted through contact with rodents.
Contact tracing and the investigation into the origins of the outbreak are ongoing, but health officials don't want the public to worry at this time. Human-to-human transmission remains very rare and only occurs with extremely close contact.
“We understand people are concerned and seeking information, which is why we are providing clear written health guidance to U.S. passengers through the State Department. The safety and health of affected U.S. travelers is our top goal.” CDC published on X.
“Hantavirus is not spread by people without symptoms, transmission requires close contact, and the risk to the American public is very low,” The post continues.
The CDC, along with the World Health Organization and other health organizations around the world, will continue to monitor the status of the outbreak and provide updates as more information becomes available.
Additionally, the CDC is preparing to safely bring home the approximately 17 Americans who are still on the ship MV Hondius.
On May 5, Cruise Hive reported that Spain will accept The 5,590 gross ton vessel was not allowed to disembark in Cape Verde, Africa.
The small ship is now bound for the Canary Islands after completing the medical evacuation of three passengers who were symptomatic or had close contact with people who died from the virus.
“We can confirm that the three people previously shown awaiting medical evacuation have successfully disembarked from m/v Hondius and are currently on a medical flight to a location where specialized care and appropriate medical examinations can be provided.” Oceanwide adventure said in update May 6th.
“At this stage, m/v Hondius' planned continued destination is the Canary Islands. Oceanwide Expeditions remains in close and ongoing discussions with the relevant authorities regarding the exact arrival location, quarantine and screening procedures for all guests and an accurate timetable.” Update added.
As of this writing, tracking data shows the vessel cruising at 12 knots off the coast of Boa Vista Island in Cape Verde.
Remaining passengers and crew on board have been instructed to monitor themselves closely for possible symptoms and are encouraged to quarantine in their cabins and maintain social distancing.
Two infectious disease doctors, flown on board from the Netherlands in coordination with the Netherlands Institute for Public Health and the Environment, joined the ship on May 6 and will remain on board throughout the journey to the Canary Islands.
