Health Officials Monitor American
US health authorities are closely monitoring 18 American passengers evacuated from the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius after possible exposure to the rare Andes strain of hantavirus. Officials say the overall risk to the public remains extremely low.
The cruise ship is currently docked in the Canary Islands, while more than 90 passengers are being sent back to their home countries for medical observation and safety checks.
According to health officials, one passenger tested positive for the Andes virus, while another passenger developed mild symptoms linked to the infection. The confirmed case is the first known American passenger connected to the outbreak.
Passengers Taken to Nebraska
US authorities transferred 16 passengers to a national quarantine facility in Omaha. Two additional passengers were taken to Atlanta for monitoring, including one person showing symptoms and their partner.
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen reassured the public that no infected person poses a danger to local communities. Officials said all passengers remain under strict medical supervision.
Doctors at the quarantine unit reported that the passengers are in stable condition and maintaining good spirits. The passenger who tested positive is currently isolated inside a specialized biocontainment unit but has not shown severe symptoms.
What Is the Andes Virus?
The Andes virus is a rare strain of hantavirus carried mainly by rodents. Unlike most hantavirus strains, experts say the Andes variant can spread between humans through prolonged close contact with an infected person who already has symptoms.
Health officials stressed that the virus does not spread easily. Medical teams are taking extra precautions because even mild cold-like symptoms could require additional testing.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explained that early PCR test results from one passenger showed mixed findings. One sample tested positive while another returned negative, so doctors are conducting further testing to confirm the diagnosis.
Authorities Continue Symptom
Medical teams are now focused on daily symptom monitoring for all affected passengers. Experts say passengers may remain under observation for several days before doctors decide whether a full 42 day quarantine period is necessary.
Officials continue to emphasize that the situation is under control and that the public faces a very low risk of infection.
