US Monitors Cruise Passengers After Hantavirus Outbreak

The United States is monitoring American passengers from the cruise ship MV Hondius after hantavirus was detected on board. The World Health Organization said the outbreak had killed three people, a Dutch couple and a German citizen, while eight others were still suspected of being infected.

The virus is usually transmitted through contact with infected rodents. Human-to-human transmission is less common.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said the State Department was coordinating the response, including contact with travelers, diplomatic cooperation and communication with health authorities. The CDC described the risk to the American public as extremely low.

Authorities are monitoring passengers in several US states after their return from the cruise. In Georgia, two residents are being monitored but have no symptoms and are in good health. In Arizona, one asymptomatic person is under observation. In California, authorities are monitoring an unspecified number of people. According to available reports, none of those being monitored has shown symptoms of the disease.

The California Department of Public Health did not immediately comment.

(reuters, max)